Overview
NVG-291 is a synthetic peptide compound developed by NervGen Pharma Corp as a novel therapeutic candidate targeting protein tyrosine phosphatase sigma (PTPσ). This receptor is known to interact with chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) — key components of the glial scar that inhibit neural repair after injury.
By modulating the PTPσ pathway, NVG-291 aims to remove inhibitory signals that limit axonal regrowth, remyelination, and plasticity within the central nervous system (CNS). This mechanism holds potential in restoring function following spinal cord injury (SCI) and other neurological conditions associated with demyelination or axonal damage.
Mechanism of Action
NVG-291 is modeled after the intracellular sigma peptide (ISP) and designed to mimic its effect on intracellular signaling. It acts by blocking the interaction between CSPGs and PTPσ, thus releasing the biological “brakes” that prevent nerve repair.
In animal and early human studies, NVG-291 has demonstrated potential to:
Enhance axon regeneration
Promote oligodendrocyte precursor cell (OPC) differentiation
Support remyelination and functional recovery
Reduce glial scarring and inflammation
Preclinical & Clinical Research
Preclinical studies (lysolecithin and EAE demyelination models) showed improved OPC survival, proliferation, and maturation, resulting in restored myelin sheaths.
NervGen Pharma’s Phase 1b/2a trials in chronic spinal cord injury patients reported functional improvements and supported further clinical development.
Ongoing and planned investigations explore applications in multiple sclerosis, stroke, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Research Applications
Neural regeneration and repair studies
CNS plasticity and axon growth models
Remyelination assays and OPC differentiation
Mechanistic and biomarker research in demyelinating or traumatic injury models
⚠️ Important Notice
NVG-291 is supplied strictly for laboratory and research use only.It is not approved for human or veterinary therapeutic use.All handling should comply with institutional and regulatory biosafety standards.
NVG-291, TAT-ISP (Human) Peptide
NVG-291 is a synthetic peptide derivative inspired by the intracellular sigma peptide (ISP). It is designed to modulate the activity of the protein tyrosine phosphatase sigma (PTPσ) receptor — a key player involved in limiting neural repair.
This compound works by disrupting the binding between chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) and PTPσ. Under normal circumstances, this interaction acts as a biological “brake,” restricting oligodendrocyte precursor cell (OPC) differentiation and remyelination following central nervous system injury. By reducing this inhibition, NVG-291 helps restore a more permissive environment for nerve repair.
Preclinical studies using both lysolecithin (LPC) and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) models have demonstrated that ISP-based compounds enhance OPC survival, proliferation, and maturation, supporting axon remyelination and improved functional recovery.