'Degen-lock' - a novel way of protecting the nervous system in Motor Neurone Disease

We are developing a treatment for a neurological disease called motor neuron disease (MND). There is no cure for MND and the current therapies on the market do little to delay disease progression.

This condition is caused by the death of a particular subset of brain cells known as motor neurons. These cells normally instruct muscles when to move, and their death causes patients to experience a progressive and irreversible paralysis. As the disease advances many patients find it difficult to talk, swallow and breathe, putting them at risk of choking or respiratory failure. Over 80% of patients will not survive 5 years after diagnosis.

One of the reasons brain cells die in MND is chronic inflammation in the brain. Some inflammation can be a good thing-- it kills viruses and bacteria and helps to remove debris and dead cells. However, when this inflammation gets out of control it can kill brain cells, accelerating the progression of MND.

To treat MND an extremely strong, but specific, anti-inflammatory is required --protecting motor neurons but allowing the rest of the brain to benefit from positive effects of inflammation. We have therefore invented a new technology, 'degen-lock' which targets an anti-inflammatory effect to the brain cells which are dying in MND, protecting them from inflammation.

This grant from innovate UK will allow us to test and develop the targeting system and create a prototype of our MND therapy.