Jupiter Neurosciences (JUNS) set to begin trading Tuesday
By Andrew Knoll
23:07, 17 January 2022
A holiday-shortened week in the US nonetheless figures to provide some intrigue in the IPO market, including the launch of Jupiter Neurosciences, which will begin trading on the Nasdaq Composite on Tuesday.
More than three million units will be available, with a price between $5 and $7 each, according to the IPO filing listed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Florida-based venture is developing drugs to treat neuroinflammation, a common feature in Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions, including those stemming from traumatic brain injuries.
Flagship product
That drug – JOTROL – remains in clinical trials, but the once-daily pill offers promise as a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. Its active ingredient is resveratrol, a natural polyphenol found in red grapes, which has shown some effectiveness in combating the advancement of Alzheimer’s. JOTROL delivers a “therapeutically effective dose” without causing digestive or stomach issues, the company said in a news release.
JOTROL is the most advanced drug in Jupiter’s pipeline.
Jupiter obtained a patent for it in 2020, then rebranded in September of 2021 and made additions to its executive team shortly thereafter.
A study published last week demonstrated encouraging results, although US Food and Drug Administration approval still appears further on the horizon.
Broader market potential
The global market for Alzheimer’s disease treatment alone could surpass $25bn (£18.3bn) by 2027, with a robust compound annual growth rate of 17.5%. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. In the United States, an estimated 5.7 million people are living with Alzheimer’s, a figure that is expected to rise to 14 million by 2050.
It is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States, with a wide array of treatments in various phases of clinical trials, though few efficacious treatments exist beyond those that treat symptoms. Slowing advancement is the primary focus of most drugs in development, as there is no known cure.
More broadly, the neurodegenerative disease treatment market could approach $63bn (£46.2bn) by 2027, albeit with a more modest compound annual growth rate of 7.2%. In addition to the above-mentioned conditions, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease) and multiple sclerosis are among the most common and nefarious neurodegenerative maladies.
Increased prevalence of such disorders and the strain they have placed on mental health as well as organic health resources have prompted research and investment in treatments, despite relatively limited progress to date.
While the US is expected to dominate the market on both the research and use sides, increasingly favourable conditions in Europe and an outpaced compound annual growth rate in the Pacific Rim will likely contribute to development in those regions as well.
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