HOPE-Neuron Opens Investment Round to Fund First Human Trial of a Non-Drug ALS Treatment

Device-enabled process produced a statistically significant immune shift in ALS-model mice. Clinical partners are prepared to begin a human study once the round is funded.

Phoenix, Arizona, Sept. 18, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HOPE-Neuron Therapeutx, Inc., a late-stage medical therapeutic company, today announced that it has opened a Regulation Crowdfunding investment round on Republic to fund the first human amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) trial of SELtx, a device-enabled process that treats a patient's own blood rather than utilizing drugs or chemicals. 

Historically, every therapy approved for ALS has been pharmaceutical, with limited effectiveness in terms of improving and prolonging a patient’s life. HOPE-Neuron’s therapy utilizes a closed-loop, sterile process that conditions a patient’s blood to promote homeostasis, switching cells from damaging to healing mode. In a transgenic ALS mouse study, subjects treated with the company's process preserved significantly more motor function than untreated animals. Researchers confirmed the intended shift in immune cell state at p < 0.008.  While the process has shown promising results in vitro and in transgenic ALS mouse studies, the next step is to test the device and define dosing in humans.  

The company's founder, neurobiologist Ronald Lane, began the work after his wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Lane, along with family and friends, has invested more than $1 million in the decade-long research that produced the technology. No outside investor had been asked to participate until now.

“Our company operates with a sense of urgency that comes from true empathy for the patients we aim to help, ” said Ronald Lane, founder of HOPE-Neuron. “We’ve achieved amazing results through the dedication of a small group of supporters and team members, but now the time has come to build an investor base that can fund the next stage of our research. Every human trial is pivotal in terms of its targeted disease state, but our upcoming study is particularly important because it has the potential to open other therapeutic doorways beyond ALS.”

The capital is earmarked for three steps in sequence. The first dollars go to a medical equipment manufacturing partner in New Jersey to build the human version of the device. The company then activates the institutional review board (IRB) process with its clinical partners, and doses its first human ALS patients. HOPE-Neuron expects human test results within 12 months after funding.  In terms of risk, the company is pre-revenue, has no approved product, and cautions that study results may differ from expectations. 

ALS affects roughly 34,000 Americans, who have few treatment options. The leading approved drug for ALS extends median survival by about seven months, and the most recently approved drug only targets 2% of the ALS population.  The Office of Health Economics estimates that healthcare spending for ALS in the U.S. now tops $2.5 billion annually, placing a tremendous burden on families and healthcare providers. 

“Even after more than $2 billion spent on research over the last decade, an ALS diagnosis today means only 2-5 years of remaining life for a patient,” said Mark Forney of HOPE-Neuron. “We know two things about our technology that are compelling: it is different from anything else that has been tried before, and the ALS-transgenic mice we treated not only lived, but thrived. Now we are calling on the ALS community and impact investors to help fund this same therapy in humans.” 

Preclinical work was led by Dr. Yansheng Du, Professor of Neurology at Indiana University School of Medicine, who will conduct follow-on work targeting Alzheimer’s. Human clinical trial planning for ALS is underway with the Gregory W. Fulton ALS and Neuromuscular Disease Center in Phoenix, Arizona. The underlying process is protected by granted patents running to 2039.

HOPE-Neuron will host a live investor session on Tuesday, October 6 at 11:00 a.m. Pacific, where Lane and Forney will present the company's work and take questions. Registration is free and open at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qXObscFkT6S_jl18H2AabQ. 

The full offering, including risk factors, is available at republic.com/hope-neuron.

About HOPE-Neuron Therapeutx, Inc.

HOPE-Neuron’s primary technology is SELtx™, a novel therapeutic platform that conditions a patient’s blood via mechanotransduction and precision-controlled hyperoxia to signal an apoptotic process, which generates an immune equilibrium by shifting M1 “killer” cells to M2 “healer” cells. To date, this treatment has only been administered in human ALS gene-transfected mice, though human trials are planned employing proceeds from the current offering. The proof-of-concept mouse trial was successful in slowing disease progression. The distinguishing feature of SELtx™ is that it facilitates healing via a patient’s own immune system -- without the use of infused reactive drugs or chemicals. The Company’s initial area of focus is on neurodegenerative disorders, with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) as the first target.

 More at hopeneuron.com.

Important disclosures

HOPE-Neuron Therapeutx, Inc. is conducting an offering under Regulation Crowdfunding through Republic. This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. Any offer is made only through the company's offering statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which should be read in full, including its risk factors, before making any investment decision. Investing in early-stage companies involves substantial risk, including the loss of an investor's entire investment.

Preclinical results described in this release are from ALS-model mice and are not human clinical results. Statements regarding the company's plans, timelines and expectations are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual outcomes may differ materially. The company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement.

Mark Forney
Vice President of Business Development
HOPE-Neuron Therapeutx
305-239-7657
​​hope@hopeneuron.com

Mark Forney

hope (at)hopeneuron.com