Dr. Lior Shaltiel reports

NUREXONE'S EXOPTEN BEING STUDIED AS GLAUCOMA TREATMENT FOR US$3.4 BILLION MARKET

A preclinical study has started to explore the potential of Nurexone Biologic Inc.'s exosome-based therapies in regenerating damaged optic nerves. The study, initiated by renowned ophthalmologist and serial entrepreneur Prof. Michael Belkin from Tel Aviv University's Goldschleger Eye Research Institute, and led by the principal investigators Prof. Ygal Rotenstreich and Dr. Ifat Sher from the Sheba Medical Center Eye Institute (1), is the latest step in expanding potential clinical indications for Nurexone Biologic's exosome-loaded drugs.

The optic nerve, a critical component of the visual system, transmits visual information from the retina to the brain. Since the optic nerve, part of the central nervous system, does not regenerate spontaneously, and damage thereto, whether due to injury, glaucoma, or other conditions, can result in significant vision loss and blindness. According to experts, current treatments are limited and focus on preventing additional damage rather than regenerating or repairing damaged nerves. Based on NurExone's trials on the spinal cord, which is also part of the central nervous system, exosome-loaded drugs may be able to change this paradigm with their potentially regenerative properties with respect to damaged nerves.

The global optic nerve disorders treatment market size was valued at US$3.4 billion in 2021, and is projected to reach US$5.3 billion by 2031, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 4.5% from 2022 to 2031. Key players in the optic nerve disorder treatment market, include AbbVie Inc., Novartis AG, Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. ( Superscript 1) ( Superscript 2)

Prof. Michael Belkin commented: "We are excited to perform preclinical studies on optical nerve regeneration at the Sheba Medical Center Eye Institute. If this experimental direction is successful, I believe we may be able to translate the success quickly to clinical practice. Our ultimate goal is to restore and improve the quality of life for individuals affected by optic nerve diseases and injuries."

Dr. Lior Shaltiel, CEO of Nurexone Biologic, added: "This investigation is part of our ongoing commitment to using our ExoTherapy platform to advance the field of regenerative medicine. Through pre-clinical investigations, we aim to address this critical and unmet medical need and bring hope to individuals suffering from vision loss. This also represents the next phase in our strategy to expand the clinical indications for our exosome-loaded drugs, paving the way for future breakthroughs."

Learn more about Prof. Belkin's vision for treating glaucoma with ExoPTEN in NurExone's latest podcast available on NurExone's website.

1 Optic Nerve Disorders Treatment Market Research, 2031. Available on-line.

2 Optic Nerve Disorders Treatment Market 2024 Business Insights, Development Plans, And Growth Analysis Report To 2033. Available on-line.

About The Tel Aviv University's Goldschleger Eye Research Institute and Sheba Medical Center Eye Institute

The Goldschleger Eye Research Institute focuses on studying the visual system in health and disease and transform laboratory research into clinical practice. The Institute is part of the Tel Aviv University School of Medicine, located at Sheba Medical Center in Tel HaShomer. This location enables close collaboration between basic and clinical research. Sheba was recently ranked as one of the ten best hospitals in the world. Prof. Belkin, the founder and first director of the Institute, is a member of NurExone's Scientific Advisory Board.

Prof. Ygal Rotenstreich and Dr. Ifat Sher are affiliated with Sheba Medical Center Eye Institute. The Eye Institute at Sheba Medical Center is a diverse team that utilizes cutting-edge technological advancements in ophthalmology to deliver patient care of the utmost safety and quality standards. Comprising an inpatient department, day care unit, surgery rooms, and various outpatient clinics, the Eye Institute boasts a staff of over 50 eye specialists, 30 skilled nurses, and medical technicians with specialized training.

About NurExone Biologic Inc.

NurExone Biologic Inc. is a TSXV listed pharmaceutical Company that is developing a platform for biologically-guided exosome-based therapies to be delivered, non-invasively, to patients who have suffered Central Nervous System injuries. The Company's first product, ExoPTEN for acute spinal cord injury, was proven to recover motor function in 75% of laboratory rats when administered intranasally. ExoPTEN has been granted Orphan Drug Designation by the FDA. The NurExone platform technology is expected to offer novel solutions to drug companies interested in noninvasive targeted drug delivery for other indications.

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