Swedish pharmaceutical company AlzeCure Pharma AB (Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market:ALZCUR) announced on Monday that it has received EUR2.5m from the European Innovation Council to support a Phase IIa clinical trial of NeuroRestore ACD856 for Alzheimer's disease.

This funding will facilitate further evaluation of the drug in patients and allow testing at higher doses due to its strong safety profile.

ACD856 is a first-in-class positive allosteric modulator of Trk receptors (Trk-PAMs), designed to enhance BDNF and NGF signalling, potentially improving memory function and altering disease progression. Phase I clinical studies demonstrated good safety, high brain penetration, and activation of cognitive and depression-related brain regions.

Preclinical research indicates that ACD856 strengthens nerve cell communication and enhances cognitive functions, including learning and memory. Additional studies suggest the drug has neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and disease-modifying effects.

If successful, ACD856 could represent a new category of Alzheimer's treatments.