GeNeuro, Inc., a subsidiary of NRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: NRXP), announced it has been awarded a European patent (EP 3 570 878 B1) for GNK-301, a monoclonal antibody drug candidate targeting Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

The patent covers an antibody developed jointly by GeNeuro and scientists at the U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement. Two U.S. patents (10,723,787 and 10,981,977) for the same invention were previously granted. The patents are co-owned by GeNeuro and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The drug candidate targets the envelope protein of Human Endogenous Retrovirus K (HERV-K), known as K Env, which the patents state is found in the spinal fluid of more than 75% of ALS patients. According to the patents, GNK-301 has been shown to prevent neurotoxic effects of K Env in animal models and human motor neuron cells.

GeNeuro stated it has initiated manufacturing of GNK-301 under Good Manufacturing Practices and plans to begin Phase 1 human trials in the U.S. and Europe in the second half of 2027.

The company also disclosed it was selected in the first round of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program's ALS grant competition for potential awards in therapeutic and biomarker development, and is preparing its final submission.

The assets underlying GeNeuro, Inc. were awarded to the Miami-based company by Swiss courts in June 2026 from the former Geneuro SA, which had previously conducted five human trials of a related antibody, Temelimab, in more than 400 participants across multiple conditions, with no serious adverse events reported.

According to a press release statement, GeNeuro holds a portfolio of more than 25 issued and pending patents related to HERV research and treatment methods.