Spanish biotech company Bionure intends to begin clinical trials of a neuroprotective drug to treat multiple sclerosis in the United States.

The company Bionure, which is developing a drug to treat multiple sclerosis, has obtained financing in the US from industrial partner Technomark and in Spain from pharmaceutical company Reig Jofré. This pioneering and completely Spanish project now seeks to open doors in the US market. The Spanish firm is also negotiating with another potential investor in Philadelphia and with private equity firms.

Clinical trials are expected to begin this summer. Beforehand, Bionure will have results from research being carried out by the Myelin Repair Foundation, which is studying whether the drug regenerates myelin as well as acting as a neuroprotector. This work has been cited in the New York Times.

The molecule, called BN201, was developed by Bionure based on research carried out at Barcelona’s Hospital Clínic and Spain’s National Research Council, CSIC. It acts as a neuroprotector for neurodegenerative diseases like sclerosis or glaucoma, in contrast to current immunomodulators such as interferon.