This Neuroscience video recap highlights key developments across regulatory approvals, late-stage clinical milestones, CNS delivery technology advances, and trial initiations across neurology and psychiatry.
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Top Stories Covered in This Video
Chapters
0:00 Introduction
0:09 Novartis licensed SciNeuro’s Alzheimer’s brain-shuttle antibody, $165M upfront, up to $1.7B total
0:31 Dyno launched Dyno-yp2, a TfR1-mediated AAV capsid with high CNS transduction and liver detargeting in humanized mice
1:05 Korea approved Chiesi’s velmanase alfa (Ramzede) for alpha-mannosidosis non-CNS symptoms
1:28 Kallyope set 2026 milestones, moving elismetrep toward registrational migraine studies and K-554 into Phase 1
1:59 Teva’s AJOVY pediatric Phase 3 (SPACE) NEJM publication showed significant efficacy in episodic migraine
2:38 J&J reported CAPLYTA adjunctive MDD remission benefits in pooled Phase 3 and 6-month extension data
3:24 Alto gained a new U.S. method-of-treatment patent protecting ALTO-207 into the mid-2040s
3:52 Axsome dosed first patient in FORWARD Phase 3 of AXS-14 (esreboxetine) for fibromyalgia
4:21 How to reach us
Transcript
Welcome to the latest edition of Neuroscience Updates, covering breakthroughs in the past two weeks. Brought to you by LucidQuest.
Novartis licensed SciNeuro’s anti-amyloid brain-shuttle antibody for Alzheimer’s. The deal includes 165 million dollars upfront, up to 1.5 billion in milestones, and tiered royalties, with early development in collaboration. This signals deeper investment in blood–brain barrier strategies.
Dyno Therapeutics unveiled Dyno-yp2, a TfR1-mediated AAV capsid. In TfR1-humanized mice, Dyno-yp2 achieved greater than 94 percent neuronal transduction, about 11-fold higher brain biodistribution versus BI-hTFR1, and strong liver detargeting at 80-fold versus BI-hTFR1 and 29-fold versus AAV9 under test conditions. This expands AI-engineered CNS delivery options.
Korea’s MFDS approved Ramzede, velmanase alfa, 10 milligrams, to reduce mannose-containing oligosaccharide accumulation and alleviate systemic, non-CNS manifestations of alpha-mannosidosis. Introduced by Kwangdong Pharmaceutical, this adds competition that could influence pricing and formulary access.
Kallyope outlined 2026 plans. Registrational trials for elismetrep, a TRPM8 modulator for acute migraine, are planned for mid 2026. K-554, a non-incretin peptide for obesity, is slated to enter Phase 1 in mid 2026 with early data expected in the second half of 2026. Signals continued pipeline expansion.
Teva’s AJOVY pediatric SPACE trial was published in the New England Journal of Medicine. In a 3 month Phase 3 randomized trial of 6 to 17 year olds with episodic migraine, n equals 237, fremanezumab reduced monthly migraine days by 2.5 versus 1.4 with placebo, a difference of 1.1, p equals 0.02, and achieved 47.2 percent fifty percent responders versus 27.0 percent, p equals 0.002. Safety was consistent with adults.
Johnson and Johnson highlighted CAPLYTA, lumateperone, as adjunctive therapy in major depressive disorder. In pooled Phase 3 studies 501 and 502, remission at 6 weeks, defined as MADRS 10 or less, was about 25.5 percent versus 13.6 percent with placebo. In the six month open label extension study 503, 65.4 percent reached remission, 44.1 percent complete remission, and 42.8 percent sustained remission, per study definitions. These data may inform prescriber and payer decisions pending full peer review.
Alto Neuroscience announced a new U.S. method of treatment patent for ALTO-207 in depression. U.S. Patent Number 12,521,374 protects the combination of pramipexole with ondansetron designed to mitigate dose limiting side effects, with protection expected into the mid 2040s. This strengthens the commercial runway.
Axsome Therapeutics initiated FORWARD, a Phase 3 program of AXS-14, esreboxetine, for fibromyalgia. After a 12 week open label run in, responders are randomized to continue AXS-14 at 8 milligrams daily versus placebo for up to 12 weeks. The primary endpoint is time to loss of therapeutic response. Results could shape future management pending readout.
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Why it matters
- Brain-shuttle and capsid advances aim to unlock CNS delivery constraints, a gating factor in neurotherapeutics.
- Pediatric migraine data expand CGRP utility across ages, informing guidelines and access.
- New MDD remission analyses and precision approaches may shift adjunctive strategies.
- Rare disease approvals diversify global access to enzyme-replacement therapies.
- Late-stage fibromyalgia and migraine programs sustain momentum in pain and headache pipelines.
🗓️ Explore weekly details and sources
- Week 7–13 January 2026
- Week 14–20 January 2026
📚 View the full Neuroscience archive on our research hub page.
FAQ
What did Novartis license from SciNeuro, and for what indication? [1]
A worldwide license to an anti-amyloid antibody program that shuttles therapies across the BBB, aimed at Alzheimer’s disease. Deal terms include $165M upfront and up to $1.5B in milestones.
How does Dyno-yp2 compare with known comparators? [2]
In TfR1-humanized mice, Dyno-yp2 showed >94% neuronal transduction, ~11-fold higher brain biodistribution vs BI-hTFR1, and marked liver detargeting vs BI-hTFR1 and AAV9 under tested conditions.
What exactly did Korea approve for alpha-mannosidosis? [3]
MFDS approved Ramzede (velmanase alfa) for non-CNS symptoms, dose 10 mg, introduced by Kwangdong, representing the only approved therapy there for this disease.
What are Kallyope’s 2026 milestones? [4]
Initiate registrational elismetrep trials for acute migraine mid-2026 and start Phase 1 for K-554, with early safety/PK/PD readouts expected H2 2026 (details beyond scope not specified here).
What are the key SPACE trial outcomes for AJOVY? [5]
Over 12 weeks, −2.5 vs −1.4 monthly migraine days vs placebo (diff 1.1; p=0.02) and 47.2% vs 27.0% ≥50% responders, with a safety profile consistent with adults.
What remission data support CAPLYTA in MDD? [6]
Pooled Phase 3 showed higher 6-week remission (MADRS ≤10) vs placebo; in a 6-month extension, 65.4% reached remission, 44.1% complete remission, and 42.8% sustained remission as defined by the sponsor.
What protection does Alto’s new patent provide? [7]
U.S. Patent No. 12,521,374 covers treating depression with ALTO-207’s pramipexole-ondansetron approach, with protection expected into the mid-2040s per company statements.
What is the FORWARD trial design for AXS-14? [8]
Open-label induction followed by randomized withdrawal to AXS-14 8 mg vs placebo for up to 12 weeks. Primary endpoint is time to loss of therapeutic response.
Entities / Keywords
Novartis; SciNeuro; Alzheimer’s; brain-shuttle; BBB
Dyno Therapeutics; Dyno-yp2; AAV; TfR1; CNS delivery
Chiesi; Ramzede; velmanase alfa; alpha-mannosidosis; MFDS Korea
Kallyope; elismetrep; TRPM8; K-554; obesity; non-incretin
Teva; AJOVY; fremanezumab; SPACE; pediatric episodic migraine; NEJM
Johnson & Johnson; CAPLYTA; lumateperone; MDD; ACNP; MADRS remission
Alto Neuroscience; ALTO-207; pramipexole; ondansetron; patent
Axsome Therapeutics; AXS-14; esreboxetine; fibromyalgia; randomized-withdrawal
References
https://www.fiercebiotech.com/clinical-data/novartis-pays-scineuro-165m-ticket-another-shuttle-brain
https://biz.chosun.com/en/en-science/2026/01/12/KJY46LNFAVEOVAO6PNFVL3R2FY/?outputType=amp