Neuroscience Today—October 22, 2025

Stay on top of neuroscience this week: new product launches, M&A moves, clinical progress, and biopharma breakthroughs.

In Today’s Newsletter

🧠 NYU Langone Health’s Smartphone App for Migraine Relief [1] Published: 16 Oct 2025

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/smartphone-based-relaxation-program-reduces-disability-for-emergency-department-migraine-patients-302586673.html

Context: A smartphone app guiding patients through muscle relaxation reduces migraine-related disability in emergency department settings.

Key Point: Patients using the app showed nearly double the improvement in the Migraine Disability Assessment Score (MIDAS).

Implication: This app offers a drug-free, scalable option for managing migraines, with the potential to reduce emergency visits.

💸 Pulmatrix’s Strategic Shift and Merger Plans [2] Published: 16 Oct 2025

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pulmatrix-announces-third-quarter-2025-financial-results-and-divestment-plan-for-migraine-and-inhalation-assets-302585702.html

Context: Pulmatrix announces plans to divest its migraine and inhalation assets as part of a merger with Cullgen, focusing on targeted protein degradation therapies.

Key Point: Pulmatrix will seek to sell its iSPERSE™ technology and related clinical programs, including its Phase 2 acute migraine treatment.

Implication: This move reflects a shift in focus, potentially streamlining the company’s portfolio towards pain and cancer treatments.

🧬 Bexorg Raises Funds for AI-Based CNS Drug Discovery [3] Published: 15 Oct 2025

https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/10/15/3166924/0/en/Bexorg-Raises-42-5M-to-Transform-CNS-Drug-Development-with-World-s-First-Integrated-AI-and-Whole-Human-Brain-Platform.html

Context: Bexorg has raised $42.5M to accelerate its AI and whole-human brain platform, revolutionizing CNS drug development.

Key Point: Bexorg’s platform integrates human brain data with AI to predict novel drug targets, improving drug discovery accuracy.

Implication: This innovative approach could dramatically reduce CNS clinical trial failures and lead to breakthroughs in neurodegenerative disease treatments.

⚡ SK Biopharmaceuticals & Eurofarma’s AI Epilepsy Management JV [4] Published: 21 Oct 2025

https://technode.global/prnasia/sk-biopharmaceuticals-launches-joint-venture-with-eurofarma-for-ai-based-epilepsy-management-platform/

Context: SK Biopharmaceuticals forms a joint venture with Eurofarma to develop an AI-driven epilepsy care platform.

Key Point: The platform integrates seizure detection and prediction algorithms, offering real-time monitoring for personalized care.

Implication: This JV could transform epilepsy management by providing a comprehensive and personalized approach to care.

🧠 Yandex’s AI Tool Detects Cerebral Palsy in Infants [5] Published: 16 Oct 2025

https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/10/16/3168076/0/en/Open-Source-AI-Tool-by-Yandex-Detects-Signs-of-Infant-Cerebral-Palsy-With-Over-90-Accuracy.html

Context: Yandex has developed an AI tool that analyzes infant MRI scans to detect cerebral palsy with over 90% accuracy.

Key Point: The tool significantly reduces diagnostic time from days to minutes, enabling earlier intervention.

Implication: This AI solution could lead to quicker diagnoses, improving long-term outcomes for infants with cerebral palsy.

🏥 Viatris Acquires Aculys Pharma for CNS Expansion [6] Published: 15 Oct 2025

https://newsroom.viatris.com/2025-10-15-Viatris-Completes-Acquisition-of-Aculys-Pharma-Including-Exclusive-Rights-to-Pitolisant-in-Japan-and-to-Spydia-R-in-Japan-and-Certain-Other-Markets-in-the-Asia-Pacific-Region

Context: Viatris completes the acquisition of Aculys Pharma, gaining exclusive rights to Pitolisant and Spydia® for CNS treatments in Japan.

Key Point: Viatris plans to file for marketing approval of Pitolisant in Japan by the end of 2025.

Implication: This acquisition strengthens Viatris’ position in the CNS market, offering innovative treatments for sleep and seizure disorders.

🔍 Theravance Biopharma Launches Education Campaign for MSA-Related nOH [7] Published: 17 Oct 2025

https://www.biospace.com/press-releases/theravance-biopharma-launches-disease-education-campaign-to-advance-scientific-understanding-of-neurogenic-orthostatic-hypotension-due-to-multiple-system-atrophy

Context: Theravance introduces a campaign to raise awareness about neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (nOH) in Multiple System Atrophy (MSA).

Key Point: The campaign aims to improve understanding of this debilitating condition among healthcare professionals.

Implication: Increased awareness could lead to earlier diagnosis and better management of nOH in MSA patients.

🧠 ABTA Supports CNS Metastasis Research with $100K Grants [8] Published: 15 Oct 2025

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/metastatic-brain-tumor-collaborative-announces-first-ever-collaborative-grant-opportunity-focused-on-cns-metastasis-302584894.html

Context: The Metastatic Brain Tumor Collaborative (MBTC) announces $100,000 in grants to support innovative research on CNS metastasis.

Key Point: The grants support high-risk, high-impact projects aimed at improving the diagnosis and treatment of brain metastases.

Implication: These grants could accelerate breakthroughs in the treatment of brain metastases, an underserved area in cancer research.

🧬 Lundbeck & Contera Pharma to Develop RNA-Based Neurological Treatments [9]

Published: 20 Oct 2025

https://news.cision.com/h–lundbeck-a-s/r/lundbeck-and-contera-pharma-announce-research-collaboration-to-advance-rna-targeting-medicines-for-s,c4252714

Context: Lundbeck partners with Contera Pharma to develop RNA-targeting medicines for serious neurological conditions.

Key Point: The collaboration will leverage Contera’s RNA platforms to accelerate the development of innovative CNS treatments.

Implication: RNA-targeting therapies could offer new hope for treating complex neurological diseases, with the potential for transformative breakthroughs.

Why it Matters

NYU Langone Health’s migraine app offers a scalable, drug-free option to manage migraine-related disability in emergency settings [1].
Pulmatrix’s shift in focus could lead to promising targeted therapies for pain and cancer, with a strong emphasis on their iSPERSE™ technology for inhalation treatments [2].
Bexorg’s AI platform could revolutionize CNS drug discovery by integrating human brain data with AI, improving the drug development process [3].
SK Biopharmaceuticals’ epilepsy management JV could significantly improve care with AI-driven real-time monitoring and seizure prediction tools [4].
Yandex’s AI tool for cerebral palsy detection is a breakthrough in early diagnosis, enabling faster intervention for infants with neurological disorders [5].
Viatris’ acquisition of Aculys Pharma strengthens its CNS portfolio, offering advanced treatments for sleep disorders and status epilepticus [6].
Theravance’s awareness campaign could improve the diagnosis and management of nOH in MSA, an under-recognized aspect of this rare neurodegenerative disease [7].
The ABTA’s CNS metastasis grants could lead to significant advancements in cancer-related brain research, addressing an important unmet need [8].
Lundbeck’s collaboration with Contera Pharma could usher in a new era of RNA-based therapies for neurological diseases, expanding treatment options for neurodegeneration [9].

🚀 Accelerate your success. Contact us now

📂 Explore our case studies. See examples of our work.

💡 Read our insights. Learn from our latest reports and analysis

🎬 Watch on YouTube. Subscribe and never miss a video.

🧰 See our full range of services. Discover how we can help you.

FAQ

What is the NYU Langone Health migraine app?

A smartphone app guiding users through progressive muscle relaxation to reduce migraine disability, with clinical trials showing significant improvement in patient outcomes [1]

What is Pulmatrix’s new strategic direction?

Pulmatrix is shifting its focus from migraine treatments to protein degradation therapies, aligning with a merger with Cullgen to target pain and cancer treatments [2]

How is Bexorg transforming CNS drug discovery?

Bexorg’s platform uses human brain data combined with AI to identify drug targets, improving the accuracy and reliability of CNS drug development [3]

What is the significance of SK Biopharmaceuticals’ joint venture with Eurofarma?

The JV aims to create an AI-based epilepsy care platform that integrates real-time monitoring and seizure prediction algorithms, transforming patient care [4]

How does Yandex’s AI tool help with cerebral palsy diagnosis?

Yandex’s AI tool automates the analysis of infant MRI scans, reducing diagnostic time and enhancing early detection of cerebral palsy with over 90% accuracy [5]

What impact will Viatris’ acquisition of Aculys Pharma have?

Viatris strengthens its CNS portfolio by gaining exclusive rights to innovative treatments for narcolepsy and status epilepticus, expanding its presence in the Japanese market [6]

What is Theravance’s new educational initiative?

Theravance launched a campaign to raise awareness and scientific understanding of neurogenic orthostatic hypotension in MSA, aiming for better diagnosis and treatment [7]

How does the ABTA’s new grant program help CNS metastasis research?

The grants will support innovative research aimed at improving the diagnosis and treatment of CNS metastases, a critical area in cancer research [8]

What is the focus of Lundbeck & Contera Pharma’s partnership?

The collaboration aims to develop RNA-targeting medicines for neurological diseases, leveraging Contera’s proprietary RNA discovery platforms to advance treatments for neurodegeneration ([9]

Entities / Keywords

Bexorg; AI-driven drug discovery; Pulmatrix; iSPERSE™ technology; Yandex; cerebral palsy AI tool; SK Biopharmaceuticals; Eurofarma; epilepsy management; Viatris; Aculys Pharma; Theravance Biopharma; neurogenic orthostatic hypotension; Lundbeck; Contera Pharma; RNA-targeting medicines; CNS metastasis; brain tumor research.