Clene announces publication on CNM-Au8 catalytic mechanism of action

Clene announced the publication of a scientific paper describing the catalytic mechanism of action of its investigational drug CNM-Au8(R) in the journal Small, a top nanotechnology-focused journal at the interface of materials science, chemistry, physics, engineering, medicine, and biology. The publication, titled “A Mechanism Underpinning the Bioenergetic Metabolism-Regulating Function of Gold Nanocatalysts,” is co-authored by lead investigators at the University of South Carolina and Clene. This study demonstrates that the robust neuroprotective properties of CNM-Au8 can be attributed to its therapeutic catalytic activity. When neurons were exposed to toxins that induce neuronal death, CNM-Au8 treatment promoted the survival of cells and preservation of neurite networks. To unravel the mechanisms underpinning the neuroprotective function of CNM-Au8, Professor Hui Wang, Ph.D., and his graduate students at the University of South Carolina conducted detailed studies focused on characterizing CNM-Au8-mediated catalytic reactions to determine how CNM-Au8 effectively regulates cellular health and metabolism. Neuronal deficiencies have been associated with cell death in multiple types of neurodegenerative disease, as documented by a growing body of scientific literature. Because of the unique mechanism of CNM-Au8 and the wide applicability of its neuroprotective activities, Clene’s lead asset is being investigated in the clinic as a potential first-in-class drug for the treatment of multiple neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease.