NervGen Pharma Corp. announced a $10 million non-brokered private placement to advance development of its lead candidate NVG-291, a first-in-class neuroreparative therapeutic for spinal cord injury and other neurologic disorders. The financing will support the company's anticipated Nasdaq listing and continued clinical development of what could become the first approved regenerative drug for chronic spinal cord injury.
The private placement includes participation from new and existing investors, notably SCI Ventures, the world's first specialist venture fund focused on paralysis. SCI Ventures is supported by leading organizations including the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, Wings for Life, the International Spinal Research Trust, Promobilia, and the Shepherd Center.
Addressing Critical Unmet Medical Need
"Spinal cord injury impacts over 20 million people globally, with lifetime care costs exceeding $6 million per patient in the U.S. alone," said Adrien Cohen, Founding Managing Director of SCI Ventures. "The NervGen team has demonstrated strong clinical execution, and we believe NVG-291 has the potential to become the first approved regenerative drug for chronic spinal cord injury."
The therapeutic addresses a significant gap in treatment options for spinal cord injury patients, where current interventions focus primarily on supportive care rather than promoting neural repair and functional recovery.
Innovative Mechanism of Action
NervGen holds exclusive worldwide rights to NVG-291, a therapeutic peptide targeting nervous system repair. The technology is licensed from Case Western Reserve University and is based on academic studies demonstrating preclinical efficacy of NVG-291-R, the rodent variant, in animal models of spinal cord injury.
The therapy works through multiple molecular and cellular mechanisms to promote neurorepair and functional improvement in both central and peripheral nervous system injury models. These mechanisms include promotion of neuronal sprouting or plasticity, remyelination, and promotion of a non-inflammatory phenotype in microglial cells.
Regulatory Recognition and Clinical Progress
NVG-291 has received significant regulatory support, including Fast Track designation from the FDA and Orphan Designation from the European Medicines Agency for spinal cord injury treatment. The company is currently evaluating the clinical efficacy of NVG-291 in the Phase 1b/2a CONNECT SCI Study, with enrollment ongoing in the subacute cohort for patients 20-90 days post-injury.
Strategic Financing Structure
The private placement will issue up to 4,785,715 units at $2.10 per unit for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $10.05 million. Each unit consists of one common share and one-half of a common share purchase warrant, with warrants exercisable at $2.65 for 36 months following closing.
"The expected financing from both longstanding shareholders and new, mission-driven investors, including SCI Ventures, reflects growing conviction in our clinical progress and long-term strategic direction," said Adam Rogers, MD, Interim Chief Executive Officer. "These proceeds will support both the continued advancement of NVG-291 and an anticipated listing onto Nasdaq, a step that would broaden access to U.S. investors and strengthen our position ahead of key clinical and regulatory milestones."
Company Positioning
NervGen is positioning itself as a late-stage, execution-focused biotech company dedicated to developing innovative therapies to promote nervous system repair in neurotrauma and neurologic disease settings. The financing is expected to close on or about November 19, 2025, subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval.
The company's strategic focus on nervous system repair represents a potentially transformative approach to treating conditions that have historically had limited therapeutic options, with NVG-291 serving as the lead candidate in this emerging therapeutic area.
