NeurOp Enters into Option Agreement with Seyltx for Novel GluN2B Antagonists

– Compounds include a highly potent and selective Phase 1-complete asset and seven preclinical compounds

Atlanta, GA – August 25, 2025 – NeurOp, Inc., a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on advancing novel treatments for subarachnoid hemorrhage, stroke, depression, and pain, announced it has entered into an option agreement with Seyltx, Inc. for novel GluN2B inhibitors. This agreement provides Seyltx with an option to acquire a worldwide, exclusive license to develop and commercialize a portfolio of GluN2B negative allosteric modulators (NAMs) for treating chronic cough in humans, including in refractory chronic cough (RCC) and chronic cough associated with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF-Cough).

This strategic agreement combines NeurOp’s expertise in NMDA receptor biology and innovative GluN2B inhibitors with Seyltx’s expertise in chronic cough therapy. This combination complements Seyltx’s development of potent NMDA receptor inhibitors that are highly selective towards the GluN2B subunit, including ifenprodil, which is currently in Phase 2 development. The option to this portfolio includes 8 novel compounds, including NP10679, which has successfully completed Phase 1 clinical trials. The option agreement provides Seyltx with a second clinical-phase NMDA receptor inhibitor, with the potential to provide differentiated selectivity and efficacy as compared to ifenprodil, as well as strong composition of matter intellectual property across all optioned compounds. The combined effort is expected to accelerate the development and commercialization of new therapies for chronic cough and solidify Seyltx’s position as a leader in addressing this significant unmet medical need.

“This is an exciting advance for both NeurOp and Seytlx, as it combines the strengths of both companies to advance their goals of bringing new medicines to patients with unmet clinical needs,” said Dr. James McNamara, Executive Chairman. “We recognize refractory chronic cough as a large unmet clinical problem that impacts millions of people in US. Our agreement with Seyltx  involving advanced GluN2B inhibitors, including NP10679, builds on NeurOp’s expertise in NMDA receptor biology and capitalizes on our outstanding progress by expanding the potential utility of our therapeutics.” Dr. McNamara added, “NeurOp has been dedicated to advancing novel GluN2B-targeted therapies. This agreement with Seyltx is a testament to the sophistication of our team’s expertise in the NMDA channel and the development of our GluN2B antagonists. Seyltx’s deep understanding and focus on chronic cough make them an ideal partner to further develop and bring these important compounds to patients in need. We look forward to a very productive partnership.”

Dr. Dietrich Stephan, Seyltx CEO, commented that “We are incredibly excited about this option agreement with NeurOp, which significantly strengthens our pipeline for chronic cough therapies.  Refractory chronic cough impacts approximately 6 million people in the USA alone, representing a substantial unmet medical need. Furthermore, chronic cough associated with IPF, an orphan condition affecting up to 140,000 people in the US, is a primary driver of deteriorated quality of life for these patients. Our agreement with NeurOp for advanced GluN2B NAMs, particularly NP10679, offers a promising avenue to provide potentially superior treatment options to these patients by addressing the condition with a centrally acting non-narcotic solution.”

The agreement is expected to:

  • Expand NeurOp’s efforts to Address Significant Unmet Needs: This agreement further advances the potential utility of NeurOp’s drug discovery efforts to include refractory chronic cough and IPF-cough, both areas with high unmet medical needs with no approved therapies in the USA.
  • Expand the Seyltx Pipeline: Add a portfolio of 8 novel GluN2B inhibitors, with superior selectivity compared to Seyltx’s current lead compound, including the Phase 1 completed NP10679, providing Seyltx with a second clinical-phase compound for chronic cough with strong composition of matter intellectual property (IP) to complement its method of use IP protecting targeting GluN2B in chronic cough.
  • Foster Innovation: Combine the research and development capabilities of both companies to accelerate the development of next-generation treatments for multiple indications.

The option agreement was approved by the management of both companies in June 2025 with completion of the license agreement anticipated within 12 months.

About NeurOp: NeurOp, Inc. is a privately held, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Atlanta, Georgia that is developing small-molecule therapies for central nervous system disorders, including severe pain, treatment-resistant depression, subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and stroke. Its proprietary compounds selectively inhibit the GluN2B subunit of neuronal NMDA receptors and are designed for potential therapeutic benefit with an improved safety and tolerability profile relative to other NMDA receptor antagonists. 

About Seyltx: Seyltx is a clinical stage biotherapeutics company focused on developing innovative therapies to treat chronic cough and other neuronal hypersensitivity indications. Its lead indication is refractory chronic cough, a significant unmet medical need, with a follow-on opportunity in chronic cough associated with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF-Cough). Seyltx’s lead compound is ifenprodil, an NMDA antagonist highly selective towards the GluN2B subunit, has completed a Phase 2a trial in chronic cough associated with IPF. 

Forward-Looking Statements: Certain statements contained in this news release, other than statements of fact that are independently verifiable at the date hereof, may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, and other applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,” “estimates,” “potential,” “possible,” “projects,” “plans,” and similar expressions. Such statements, based as they are on the current expectations of management, inherently involve numerous important risks, uncertainties and assumptions, known and unknown, many of which are beyond NeurOp’s control.

Contact for Seyltx: Parag Shah, Chief Operating Officer, pshah@seyltx.com

Contact for NeurOp: James McNamara, Executive Chairman, michiganmed1968@gmail.com

NeurOp Receives FDA Orphan Drug Designation for NP10679 for Treatment of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Atlanta, GA – December 8, 2021 – NeurOp, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on neurological and psychiatric disorders, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted orphan drug designation to the company’s investigational candidate NP10679 for the treatment of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).

SAH is a life-threatening type of stroke caused by bleeding into the space surrounding the brain. In patients who experience SAH caused by a ruptured aneurysm, vasospasm producing ischemic damage occurs in over one-third of patients during the week following the event and often results in permanent disability or death.

The mechanism by which ischemia damages the brain involves overactivation of NMDA receptors. Ischemia also induces acidity of brain tissue. Together, these insights led NeurOp to develop NMDA receptor blockers with increased potency in acidic tissue. NeurOp’s lead compound NP10679 is a highly selective antagonist for NMDA receptors and has greater potency in acidic conditions. These properties will enable it to provide neuroprotection against ischemic injury caused by vasospasm in SAH with fewer negative side effects than currently available NMDA inhibitors and other treatments.

“NP10679 demonstrated safety, tolerability and positive pharmacokinetics in our Phase 1 studies that make it an attractive candidate for prophylactic treatment following SAH,” said James McNamara, M.D., Executive Chairman of NeurOp. “Based on its encouraging profile, we look forward to commencing a Phase 2 clinical trial of NP10679 for SAH in 2023.”

The FDA Office of Orphan Products Development grants orphan drug designation to investigational drugs and biologics intended for the treatment, diagnosis or prevention of rare diseases, which are defined as those that affect fewer than 200,000 people in the U.S. The program provides certain benefits that include tax credits and application fee waivers designed to offset some development costs, as well as seven-year marketing exclusivity to sponsors of approved orphan products.

About NP10679
NeurOp is developing NP10679 as a subunit-specific NMDA receptor inhibitor for CNS disorders. NMDA receptors are activated by the neurotransmitter glutamate, the predominant excitatory transmitter in the brain. Several neurological disorders, including pain, treatment-resistant depression and brain damage resulting from acute brain injury, such as stroke or SAH, are associated with overactivity of these receptors. NP10679 is selective for a specific NMDA subtype, GluN2B, and has increased potency in acidic conditions. Its enhanced selectivity and disease context-dependent target engagement may provide neuroprotection with fewer negative side effects than currently available NMDA inhibitors.

About NeurOp, Inc.
NeurOp, Inc. is a privately held, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Atlanta, Georgia that is developing small-molecule therapies for central nervous system disorders, including severe pain, treatment-resistant depression, subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and stroke. Its proprietary compounds selectively inhibit the GluN2B subunit of neuronal NMDA receptors and are designed for potential therapeutic benefit with an improved safety and tolerability profile relative to other NMDA receptor antagonists. For more information, please visit www.neuropinc.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

NeurOp Announces Positive Topline Data from Phase 1 Studies for Lead Candidate NP10679 for CNS Disorders

Results show excellent half-life and positive safety profile to enable testing in stroke, severe pain, subarachnoid hemorrhage and treatment-resistant depression

Atlanta, GA – May 28, 2020 – NeurOp, Inc., a privately held, clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on neurological and psychiatric disorders, today announced the successful completion of Phase 1 studies of NP10679, a highly potent and selective GluN2B subunit-specific NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor inhibitor. NeurOp is investigating NP10679 for several CNS disorders such as stroke, severe pain, subarachnoid hemorrhage and treatment-resistant depression, which are associated with over-activity of NMDA receptors.

The primary objective of the studies was to evaluate the safety and tolerability of NP10679 in healthy subjects. Secondary objectives included assessment of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.

The initial Phase 1 trial was a first-in-human randomized, placebo-controlled, single ascending dose (SAD) study that assessed NP10679 in healthy volunteers. The study included six single ascending dose cohorts (5 to 200 mg). The study enrolled 48 subjects, 36 of whom received study drug while the remaining 12 subjects received placebo. A second Phase 1 study employed a multiple ascending dose (MAD) design assessing the effects of NP10679 on 24 subjects in three cohorts (25, 50 and 100 mg once daily) over five days.

The pharmacokinetic profile of NP10679 in humans indicated clear dose linearity across the dose ranges tested and an excellent half-life of approximately 17 hours. The results from both studies also revealed a benign safety profile that should allow adequate dosing to test the molecule in a number of indications.

“Development of NP10679 rests on a foundation of outstanding science. Based on the encouraging safety profile and positive pharmacokinetics demonstrated in our Phase 1 clinical studies, we look forward to advancing NP10679 into Phase 2 trials for stroke,” said James McNamara, M.D., Executive Chairman of NeurOp. “We plan to initiate Phase 2 studies in early 2021.”

The phase 1 NP10679 program was conducted in collaboration with Pharmaron (Baltimore). Data collected from this study will inform dose and schedule for further development of NP10679.

About NP10679
NP10679 is being developed as subunit-specific NMDA receptor inhibitor for CNS disorders. NMDA receptors are activated by the neurotransmitter glutamate, the predominant excitatory transmitter in brain. Several neurological disorders, including pain, treatment-resistant depression, and brain damage resulting from acute brain injury, such as stroke or subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), are associated with over-activity of these receptors that leads to significant acidification in brain tissues. NP10679 is selective for a specific NMDA subtype, GluN2B, and has increased potency in acidic conditions. This enhanced selectivity and disease context-dependent target engagement may provide neuroprotection with fewer negative side effects than currently available NMDA inhibitors.

About NeurOp, Inc.
NeurOp, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Atlanta, Georgia that is developing small-molecule therapies for central nervous system disorders, including severe pain, subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and stroke. Its proprietary compounds selectively inhibit the GluN2B subunit of neuronal NMDA receptors for potential therapeutic benefit with fewer side effects than currently available NMDA receptor antagonists. For more information, please visit www.neuropinc.com.

NeurOp Initiates Phase 1 Clinical Trial of NMDA Receptor Inhibitor NP10679

NeurOp, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company, today announced the initiation of a Phase 1 clinical trial of NP10679, a highly potent and selective GluN2B subunit-specific NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor inhibitor. NeurOp is investigating NP10679 for several neurological disorders that are associated with over-activity of these receptors.

The randomized, placebo-controlled, single ascending dose study will assess the safety, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of NP10679 in healthy volunteers. The study is being conducted in collaboration with Pharmaron (Baltimore) and is currently enrolling subjects in the United States. Data collected from the study will inform dose and schedule for further development of NP10679 for potential use in severe pain and the prevention of ischemic damage following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).

Certain areas of the brain become acidified by metabolic insufficiency or increased neuronal activity. This condition or “context” exists in severe pain and SAH and may also exist in brain areas that are undergoing seizures or involved in nicotine or opioid addiction.

“NP10679 is a first-in-class therapy as a context-dependent NMDA receptor inhibitor,” said NeurOp’s Chief Scientific Officer, Robert Zaczek, PhD. “Preclinical data demonstrate that NP10679 is different from other NMDA therapies, because of its selectivity, safety profile and potency at low pH, a condition found in a number of central nervous system disorders.”

“We have achieved a significant milestone for NeurOp now that NP10679 has advanced to the clinic,” said James McNamara, MD, Executive Chairman at NeurOp. “We look forward to moving this compound through clinical development and are particularly encouraged by its potential as a treatment for severe pain. With the opioid epidemic facing the nation, the need for effective and safe medications for severe pain is greater than ever.”

NP10679 is bioavailable either orally or by IV, and it is currently being evaluated in this study by the IV route. An IND for NP10679 was opened in 2016.

About NeurOp
NeurOp, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Atlanta that is developing small-molecule therapies for central nervous system disorders, including severe pain, subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and catastrophic juvenile epilepsies. Its proprietary compounds selectively inhibit the GluN2B subunit of neuronal NMDA receptors for potential therapeutic benefit with fewer side effects than currently available NMDA receptor antagonists. For more information, please visit www.neuropinc.com.

NeurOp contact:
Robert Zaczek, PhD
Phone: 860.853.0427

NIH Awards NeurOp $3.5 Million to Support Phase 1 Clinical Trial of NMDA Inhibitor NP10679

NP10679 is in development to prevent brain ischemia during stroke or subarachnoid hemorrhage

NeurOp, Inc. today announced that it has received a $3.5 million award from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), a division of the NIH, to begin clinical testing of the Company’s drug candidate NP10679, a GluN2B subunit-specific NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) inhibitor. NeurOp is investigating NP10679 for the prevention of ischemic damage during a stroke or subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).

“We designed NP10679 with great care to incorporate the attributes we believe differentiate this molecule from other NMDA inhibitors in development,” said Barney Koszalka, PhD, NeurOp CEO. “For example, the binding of the molecule is enhanced in an acidic environment, a property other NMDA inhibitors lack. This property of pH dependence improves the chance of achieving efficacy at dose levels devoid of side effects. We would like to partner with a pharmaceutical company in future trials to fully explore this advantage in an array of disorders such as stroke, treatment-resistant depression and neuropathic pain.”

NP10679 is bioavailable by either the oral or IV route, and it will initially be evaluated in a Phase 1 study in healthy human volunteers by the IV route. The study is expected to start in early 2018. Pre-clinical studies have shown efficacy in treating complications associated with SAH. An IND for NP10679 was opened in 2016.

NeurOp’s Chief Scientific Officer, Robert Zaczek, PhD, added, “The safety profile of NP10679 allows for prophylactic use in patients at risk for an ischemic event, such as those suffering an SAH. This is important because extensive data has shown that early intervention is key for robust efficacy of neuroprotective therapy. Our prophylactic intervention strategy will place NP10679 at its site of action before an SAH-driven delayed cerebral ischemia event takes place. This eliminates the time-of-dosing caveat that might, in part, have led to previous failures of clinical tests involving glutamatergic agents in stroke and head trauma.”

Note: Research reported in this news release is supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under Award Number R44NS071657. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH.

About NeurOp
NeurOp, Inc. is an Atlanta-based biopharmaceutical company developing new medicines for central nervous system disorders, including depression, neuropathic pain, ischemia (stroke), schizophrenia and Parkinson’s disease. Its research targets specific subunits of neuronal NMDA receptors to identify and evaluate small molecule modulators for potential therapeutic benefit. Multi-year funding from the NIH supports the Company’s research and development programs for NP10679 for the prevention of ischemic damage during a stroke or subarachnoid hemorrhage. For more information, please visit www.neuropinc.com.

NeurOp contact:
Barney Koszalka, PhD, CEO

Biotech Showcase 2016 | San Francisco

NeurOp will present at the 8th Annual Biotech Showcase 2016 in San Francisco, CA to be held January 11-13th. Biotech Showcase is an investor and networking conference devoted to providing private and public biotechnology and life sciences companies with an opportunity to present to, and meet with, investors and pharmaceutical executives at one of the industry’s largest annual healthcare investor conferences.

Tuesday, January 12, 2016
9:30 am PT
Track: A – Hearst

Biotech Showcase 2016
Parc 55 San Francisco – Union Square
55 Cyril Magnin St., 4th Floor
San Francisco, CA  94102

NeurOp’s Lee Latimer Elected to ACS 2016 Board of Directors

NeurOp, Inc. today announced that Lee H. Latimer, Ph.D., head of chemistry, has been elected as Director-at-Large for the American Chemical Society’s (ACS) 2016 Board of Directors. The Society announced election results on November 5.

Dr. Latimer has been a member of ACS since 1972 and became an ACS Fellow in 2012. He has held leadership positions at the local and national level of the organization and been recognized with a number of awards for his contributions.

“ACS is about opportunity for its members in so many ways. It has certainly been so for me. I enjoy meeting new challenges and colleagues in teams and applying my experience to make a difference,” said Latimer.

Dr. Latimer earned his Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Wisconsin under the mentorship of B.M. Trost and held an NIH Fellowship with W.G. Dauben at the University of California at Berkeley and C.J. Sih at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. To learn more about Dr. Latimer’s extensive professional experience, click here.

About NeurOp
NeurOp, Inc. is an Atlanta-based biopharmaceutical company developing new medicines for central nervous system disorders, including depression, neuropathic pain, ischemia (stroke), schizophrenia, and Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Its research targets various subunits of neuronal NMDA receptors and their potential therapeutic benefit. The company has licensed its technology to Bristol-Myers Squibb for the development of a compound for treatment-resistant depression. Multi-year funding from the NIH supports the company’s research and development programs for schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease and NP10679, its drug candidate for the prevention of ischemic damage during a stroke or subarachnoid hemorrhage. For more information, please visit www.neuropinc.com.

NeurOp contact:
Barney Koszalka, CEO
Phone: (919) 260-5595