Researchers develop new approach to repairing peripheral nerve damage

A UM-affiliated biotechnology company is developing WST-057, a topical treatment intended to stimulate the peripheral nervous system’s natural ability to regenerate nerve fibres. 

The technology grew from research at three universities. At the University of Manitoba, Dr. Paul Fernyhough and his team screened thousands of compounds for their ability to encourage nerve growth. Among the promising results was pirenzepine, part of a class of drugs that had not previously been studied for nerve regeneration. 

Fernyhough collaborated with Dr. Nigel Calcutt at the University of California San Diego and Dr. Lakshmi Kotra at the University of Toronto. Together, the researchers brought expertise in nerve biology, animal models and medicinal chemistry to understand how these drugs worked and whether they could help damaged peripheral nerves grow again.

Before publishing their findings, the researchers worked with their universities to protect the discoveries through patents jointly held by the three institutions. The intellectual property became the foundation for WinSanTor. Its name reflects the three cities behind the collaboration: Winnipeg, San Diego and Toronto. 

At UM, the Partnerships, Knowledge Mobilization & Innovation (PKMI) office  helped manage the patents and licensing agreement that allowed the company to develop the research commercially. St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre, Research Manitoba and federal research funding also supported the work as it moved from laboratory studies toward clinical testing. 

That work has now reached patients. In a Phase 2a clinical trial involving people with Type 2 diabetes and peripheral neuropathy, the topical treatment increased nerve-fibre density in the skin, providing evidence that the approach can promote nerve regeneration.

WinSanTor has clearance to move forward with a Phase 3 clinical trial and is now seeking the investment needed to take that next step.