New Peer-Reviewed Preclinical Study Demonstrates Regenerative Potential of Spinogenix's Tazbentetol for Treating Diabetic Retinal Neuropathy

Study Results, Published in Experimental Eye Research, Found Tazbentetol Preserved Retinal Synapses and Reduced Neurodegenerative Changes in a Preclinical Model

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Spinogenix, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering first-in-class therapeutics that restore synapses to improve the lives of patients worldwide, today announced the publication of peer-reviewed research demonstrating the neuroprotective effects of tazbentetol (formerly SPG302) in a genetic mouse model of diabetes. The findings highlight tazbentetol's therapeutic potential for diabetic retinal neuropathy (DRN), an early neurodegenerative feature of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and leading cause of blindness.

The full peer-reviewed study, SPG302 mitigates diabetic retinal neuropathy and inner retinal damage in a genetic mouse model of diabetes, published in Experimental Eye Research, evaluated the effects of daily tazbentetol treatment in diabetic db/db mice over an 8-week period. Compared with vehicle-treated diabetic mice, tazbentetol preserved retinal ganglion cell function and survival, restored expression of synaptic proteins, reduced reactive gliosis and cell death markers, and improved a measure of optic nerve myelination. Furthermore, tazbentetol reversed decreases in pattern electroretinogram (pERG) amplitude, reflecting retinal ganglion cell viability, and shortened the latency of the pattern visual evoked potential (pVEP), reflecting improved axon conduction. These retinal protective effects occurred without altering blood glucose, insulin resistance or body weight.

"These findings further validate tazbentetol's potential to protect retinal neurons in diseases characterized by early synapse loss," said Dr. Stella Sarraf, Chief Executive Officer and Founder at Spinogenix. "For the millions of people affected by vision loss due to diabetic retinal disease, there remains a significant need for treatments that address the underlying drivers of disease progression. We are encouraged by this data, demonstrating that synaptic restoration can potentially play a significant role in disease management."

Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of vision loss worldwide, driven by both vascular complications and neurodegenerative changes resulting from impaired glucose metabolism. Diabetic retinal neuropathy, an early feature of DR that can precede detectable microvascular damage, is characterized by degeneration of the inner retina, including loss and dysfunction of retinal ganglion cells, synapse loss, increased retinal stress and neuronal cell death. Currently, there are no approved therapies that directly target the neurodegenerative processes underlying DRN.

"Synapse loss is increasingly recognized as an early and important driver of neurodegeneration across retinal diseases, including diabetic retinal neuropathy," said Dr. Robert N. Weinreb, Chair and Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology at University of California, San Diego, and member of Spinogenix's scientific advisory board. "These findings build on prior work in a model of glaucoma and demonstrate the ability of tazbentetol to preserve retinal ganglion cells, maintain synaptic integrity and protect retinal function in response to diverse neuronal stressors. Together, the results support the potential of a synaptic regenerative approach to address a critical, yet currently unaddressed, component of neurodegeneration."

Tazbentetol is a once-daily oral regenerative therapeutic targeting synapses to help treat neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases. The investigational therapy has been evaluated in Phase 2 clinical trials for Alzheimer's disease, ALS and schizophrenia, and is currently available through an expanded access program for ALS.

About Spinogenix 

Current treatments for neurodegenerative, neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental conditions primarily focus on slowing disease progression or minimizing symptoms, leaving many without hope for improvement. Spinogenix is aiming to transform the treatment of these conditions through its pioneering first-in-class and paradigm-shifting synaptic regenerative and synaptic corrective therapeutics designed to restore depleted synapses and reverse synaptic degeneration and dysfunction. 

Spinogenix is developing two novel therapeutics: tazbentetol (SPG302), which is designed to trigger neurons to produce new glutamatergic synapses and restore cognitive, motor, and other functions in ALS, Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia and other diseases; and codabakalner (SPG601), which is designed to work at the synaptic level to correct specific dysfunctions in Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) that underlie many core symptoms. The company has received Orphan Drug designations from the FDA and the EMA for tazbentetol in ALS as well as FDA Orphan Drug and Fast Track designations for codabakalner in FXS. More information on Spinogenix can be found at www.spinogenix.com or follow us on LinkedIn. 

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Spinogenix, Inc.
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SOURCE Spinogenix