Anti-schizophrenic agents

In collaboration of scientists from Tel Aviv University a new compound, labeled BL-1020, has been licensed to the pharmaceutical company BiolineRX, Jerusalem, for the treatment of schizophrenia, a disease which affects about 1% of the population. The compound has successfully completely Phase I and Phase II clinical trails for the treatment of schizophrenia and was found to be a potent and effective anti-schizophrenic drug which elicits significantly diminished side effects in comparison with drugs currently in clinical use. Moreover, in the course of the Phase II study it was found that BL-1020 induces highly desirable cognitive improving qualities to the patients. Based on the data generated, a second human Phase II clinical study has been initiated with the goal of specifically evaluating the cognitive improving properties of the drug. The final results are expected in early 2013 and lead to the expectation that similar cognitive enhancement may be achieved in other central nervous diseased patients including those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. It should be noted that no drug is in the marked, which deals with cognition improvement.

Drugs against neuropathic pain

A second drug developed in collaboration with scientists from Tel Aviv University that has also been licensed to BiolineRX, Jerusalem, and labeled BL-1021, has been found to be highly promising for the treatment of neuropathic pain. The various types of neuropathic pain affect between 2-3% of the world population. In model studies the compound was found to be safe and very efficacious.  BL-1021 has successfully completed safety Phase I clinical studies I and is scheduled to begin Phase II studies for efficacy.

Neroprotectant and anti-inflammatory agents.

In collaboration with Prof. Marta Rosin from the Hebrew University Prof. Nudelman has developed a family of compounds that show potential activity against both Parkinson and Alzheimer diseases and are considered to be neuroprotectants. Moreover the investigators have shown that some of the compounds possess potent anti-inflammatory activity, which is expected to be useful in the clinic for a variety of diseases where inflammation is a major factor in the disease.

Photodynamic skin treatment

In collaboration with Prof. Zvi Malik of the Life Sciences Faculty of Bar Ilan, Prof. Nudelman has developed novel derivatives of 5-aminolevulinic acid for photodynamic treatment of skin cancer. The results were significan and highly promising. Moreover, these substances appear to be potent catalysts for the enhancement of hemoglobin levels and are expected to be useful in the treatment of anemias and severe bleeding. The compounds have been patented and extensive studies are being conducted for further development.