Developing medicines to protect neurons and slow Parkinson’s disease
Parkinson’s disease progressively destroys nerve cells involved in movement, causing tremor, slowness and increasing dependence on caregivers. Current treatments mainly relieve symptoms while the underlying degeneration continues, leaving a need for medicines that preserve neurons and everyday function.
CicaNeuro is developing medicines intended to protect vulnerable neurons and slow Parkinson’s disease progression. Its lead programme seeks to preserve patients’ movement and independence by addressing the underlying degeneration, building on results in animal models.
What stands out about CicaNeuro
In Parkinson-like animal models, the modified compound protected vulnerable neurons and improved motor performance.
CicaNeuro obtained exclusive patent licences from the Paris Brain Institute in 2025, including rights for lead compound CN101.
CicaNeuro received a French Tech Lab grant as part of development support from Bpifrance and public neuroscience organisations.
Co-founder Bruno Figadère led the BioCIS chemistry laboratory from 2008 and listed 11 patents and 150 publications in his 2016 CV.
CicaNeuro is incubated at the Paris Brain Institute, which also supported its development through the NeurAL programme.
The Paris Brain Institute’s ANR project report identifies CicaNeuro as a spin-off created to advance neuroprotection in Parkinson’s disease.
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