Neuroscience Today—March 18, 2026

This week’s Neuroscience update highlights regulatory progress, clinical data readouts, early-stage research advances, and ongoing strategic pipeline and commercial developments.

In Today’s Newsletter

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In Today’s Newsletter

🧠 SciSparc, NeuroThera and Clearmind file depression therapy patent [1] [Hong Kong, China • 16 Mar 2026]

https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/03/16/tmt-newswire/globenewswire/scisparc-neurothera-labs-clearmind-medicine-collaboration-leads-to-patent-application-for-depression-therapy/2300775
Context: Clearmind Medicine and NeuroThera Labs are collaborating on a combination of MEAI and palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) for major depressive disorder.
Key point: Clearmind filed a patent application in Hong Kong, China, covering the MEAI–PEA combination therapy for depression.
Implication: Signals pipeline investment and modality expansion.

🧪 Oragenics explores CNS asset expansion around ONP-002 [2] [US • 11 Mar 2026]

https://ir.oragenics.com/press-releases/detail/228/oragenics-explores-expansion-of-cns-platform-pursuing
Context: Oragenics said ONP-002 Phase IIa is in active site initiation in Australia, with additional sites in governance review before enrollment.
Key point: Oragenics is exploring potential CNS asset acquisitions focused on brain health, brain recovery, and neuroprotection, but no definitive agreement has been reached.
Implication: Signals pipeline investment and modality expansion.

💼 NurExone adds adviser and closes financing [3] [Canada • 11 Mar 2026]

https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/03/11/tmt-newswire/globenewswire/nurexone-announces-corporate-updates/2297881
Context: NurExone develops exosome-based regenerative therapies for central nervous system injuries and said the placement remains subject to regulatory approval.
Key point: NurExone announced a consulting agreement with former Bayer scientist Lars Bärfacker, finalist status in the 2026 BOLD Awards Healthcare category, and a C$880,750.96 private placement.
Implication: Signals pipeline investment and modality expansion.

🏥 Plus Therapeutics maps 2026 milestones for REYOBIQ and CNSide [4] [US • 12 Mar 2026]

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/markets/stocks/PSTV-Q/pressreleases/36541438/plus-therapeutics-reports-2025-results-business-progress-and-2026-anticipated-milestones-for-reyobiq-clinical-program-and-cnside-commercial-rollout/
Context: Plus reported year-end 2025 cash and investments of $13.1 million and highlighted reimbursement, coverage, and lab licensing progress for CNSide.
Key point: Plus said it expects 2026 readouts and operational milestones across REYOBIQ trials, manufacturing scale-up, and CNSide commercial expansion.
Implication: May influence prescriber choice and payer reviews pending full data.

🧬 Amlogenyx reports preclinical Alzheimer’s data for AM805 [5] [US • 16 Mar 2026]

https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/03/16/tmt-newswire/globenewswire/amlogenyx-announces-positive-preclinical-data-on-am805-a-potent-amyloid-degrading-protease-for-the-treatment-of-alzheimers-disease/2300792
Context: AM805 is an investigational AAV9 gene therapy delivering PPCA, with data presented for mouse Alzheimer’s models and non-human primates.
Key point: Amlogenyx reported preclinical results showing reduced amyloid burden across models and said AM805 is in IND-enabling studies.
Implication: Signals pipeline investment and modality expansion.

🩸 Roche wins CE mark for Elecsys ApoE4 blood test [6] [EU • 16 Mar 2026]

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/roche-receives-ce-mark-for-first-ivd-immunoassay-blood-test-to-identify-carriers-of-apoe4-a-genetic-variant-present-in-up-to-60-of-patients-diagnosed-with-alzheimers-disease-302714082.html
Context: Roche positioned Elecsys ApoE4 as a blood-based IVD immunoassay to identify ApoE4 carrier status and integrate with other Alzheimer’s biomarkers.
Key point: Roche received CE mark for Elecsys ApoE4, which the company says is the first CE-marked IVD immunoassay blood test for ApoE4 carrier identification.
Implication: Could inform practice and payer discussions; interpretation depends on study design and confounding control.

💪 Atossa highlights (Z)-endoxifen data in Duchenne muscular dystrophy [7] [US • 12 Mar 2026]

https://investors.atossatherapeutics.com/2026-03-12-Atossa-Therapeutics-Presents-Clinical-Trial-Update-Highlighting-Z-Endoxifen-Research-at-the-2026-MDA-Clinical-Scientific-Conference
Context: Atossa presented findings from the mdx5Cv dystrophic mouse model at the 2026 MDA Clinical & Scientific Conference in Orlando, Florida.
Key point: Atossa reported that (Z)-endoxifen improved muscle performance and reduced muscle damage markers in a preclinical DMD model, with tolerability described as favorable.
Implication: Signals pipeline investment and modality expansion.

📘 NeuroSense PrimeC Phase 2b ALS results appear in JAMA Neurology [8] [US • 16 Mar 2026]

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jama-neurology-publishes-results-from-paradigm-phase-2b-trial-of-primec-in-als-demonstrating-meaningful-clinical-outcomes-and-biological-activity-302714793.html
Context: PARADIGM was a multinational, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2b trial with a 6-month blinded period followed by a 12-month open-label extension.
Key point: NeuroSense said JAMA Neurology published PARADIGM results showing slower functional decline, reduced ALS-related complications, and biomarker changes with PrimeC.
Implication: May influence prescriber choice and payer reviews pending full data.

Why it Matters

Alzheimer’s diagnostics and therapeutics both moved this week, with Roche advancing blood-based stratification [6] and Amlogenyx highlighting a gene-therapy approach in preclinical models [5].
CNS platform companies continue to broaden strategy, from Oragenics pursuing external assets around intranasal delivery [2] to NurExone adding scientific and financing support [3].
Plus Therapeutics is linking clinical development with commercial infrastructure, combining REYOBIQ milestones and CNSide payer expansion in one roadmap [4].
Earlier-stage neuro and rare-disease programs remain active, including a new depression IP filing [1] and preclinical DMD data from Atossa [7].
NeuroSense’s JAMA Neurology publication gives PrimeC a higher-visibility platform as it moves toward confirmatory Phase 3 in ALS [8].

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FAQ

What did SciSparc, NeuroThera Labs and Clearmind actually file?

They disclosed a patent application in Hong Kong, China, for a combination therapy using MEAI and PEA for major depressive disorder. The release does not provide clinical efficacy data for the combination. [1]

Is Oragenics announcing a deal, or only exploring one?

Only exploration at this stage. Oragenics said it is in discussions around possible CNS asset acquisitions, but no definitive agreement has been reached. Its lead internal program, ONP-002, remains the foundation of the strategy. [2]

What is the main takeaway from Plus Therapeutics’ update on REYOBIQ and CNSide?

The update is operational and forward-looking. Plus outlined expected 2026 milestones for REYOBIQ trials and manufacturing, while also targeting broader CNSide coverage and test adoption. [4]

Why is Roche’s Elecsys ApoE4 CE mark notable?

Roche says the test is the first CE-marked IVD immunoassay blood test for identifying ApoE4 carrier status. In practice, that could help triage patients in Alzheimer’s diagnostic pathways using a blood sample. [6]

How advanced is Amlogenyx’s AM805 program?

AM805 is still preclinical. Amlogenyx reported animal-model and non-human primate data, said IND-enabling studies are underway, and pointed to a planned FDA IND submission in 2027. [5]

What changed for NeuroSense’s PrimeC in ALS?

The company announced publication of PARADIGM Phase 2b results in JAMA Neurology, adding peer-reviewed visibility to previously described clinical and biomarker findings and supporting Phase 3 plans. [8]

Entities / Keywords

CNS, neurodegeneration, Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ALS, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, DMD, major depressive disorder, MDD, concussion, mild traumatic brain injury, mTBI, SciSparc, NeuroThera Labs, Clearmind Medicine, MEAI, palmitoylethanolamide, PEA, Oragenics, ONP-002, intranasal delivery, NurExone Biologic, exosomes, regenerative medicine, Plus Therapeutics, REYOBIQ, CNSide, leptomeningeal metastases, glioblastoma, Roche, Elecsys ApoE4, ApoE4, Amlogenyx, AM805, AAV9, PPCA, Atossa Therapeutics, (Z)-endoxifen, NeuroSense, PrimeC, PARADIGM