How Is Medical Research Enabling the Expansion of the Central Nervous System (CNS) Therapeutics Industry?

Key takeaways:

• Introduction
• Role of central nervous system (CNS) therapeutics for treating Alzheimer’s
• Advancements in medical research for treating Huntington’s disease

Along with the cardiovascular, digestive, and respiratory systems, the central nervous system is probably the most important part of the human body, mainly comprising of the brain and the spinal cord. Thus, though central nervous system disorders cover a wide range of ailments, they primarily include neurodegenerative diseases, genetic disorders, autoimmune & inflammatory diseases, and other such illnesses that affect the functioning of these two organs. Over the years, with sufficient research in medical sciences, different kinds of treatment techniques and methodologies have been devised that come under the ambit of central nervous system (CNS) therapeutics.

Central Nervous System (CNS) therapeutics for Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a chronic brain condition that results in a progressive decline in memory, learning, thinking, and other cognitive abilities. It is one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative diseases and several studies by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other such organizations have shown that there are already more than 6 million patients in the US alone suffering from the disease. Currently, no definitive treatment plan exists which can stop or reverse the progression of the disease and the life expectancy of the patient is around 3-12 years after the onset of the disease.

However, in the past few years, research and studies conducted in the central nervous system (CNS) therapeutics industry have yielded astonishing results. For instance, recently in 2022, medical researchers from the University of Birmingham identified a potential target in the human brain where, if the drug is administered appropriately, nerve regeneration is possible, which would ultimately help in stopping the progression of the disease.

At the same time, many pharmaceutical companies are proactively launching new drugs to alleviate the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. For instance, in July 2023, Lecanemab, a monoclonal antibody intravenous medication, was given approval by the US FDA for the treatment of early Alzheimer’s. The drug, after approval, will now be sold under the brand name Leqembi. The drug has been effective in removing the amyloid and tau proteins from the patient’s brain, thus slowing down the rate of memory loss. Such medical studies and product launches are expected to play an important role in the growth of the central nervous system (CNS) therapeutics industry.

Growing adoption of emerging technologies in the industry to treat Huntington’s disease

Huntington’s disease is an inherited brain condition that results in premature decay of brain cells resulting in their breakdown and eventual death. Just like Alzheimer’s, no definitive treatment exists to stop the progression of the disease. However, in recent times, the use of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence and machine learning has led to the design of certain therapies that aid in managing some of the symptoms of the ailment.

Artificial Intelligence, for instance, is now used in drug development processes to ascertain the effect of a specific drug on the damaged cells of the brain and helps doctors study the response. In a recent study, AI-powered tools and machine learning algorithms were employed to track, monitor, and predict the progression of Huntington’s disease in the brain. The study revealed some of the hidden patterns of the disease, thus giving some insights into how the progression of the ailment could be tackled.

Furthermore, the deep learning methodologies employed with the help of the machine learning algorithms enabled medical researchers to identify new druggable targets for Huntington’s disease. Furthermore, smart wearables and biosensors have been developed to identify and predict the intensity and pace at which the disease is spreading in the brain.

In October 2023, Sage Therapeutics, Inc., a leading biotechnology company, announced that the drug SAGE-718, developed by the company to treat Huntington’s disease received the US FDA’s approval under Orphan Drug Designation (ODD). The oral therapy developed by Sage Therapeutics helps in detecting and treating cognitive impairment at an early stage, thus reducing the chances of the onset of Huntington’s disease in the child.

To sum it up, the central nervous system (CNS) therapeutics landscape is expected to witness huge growth owing to the development of different therapies for treating Alzheimer’s disease. The adoption of emerging technologies like AI and ML for devising therapeutic programs to deal with Huntington's disease is projected to open new avenues of growth in the market. 

 

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