The Week of

PharmAla Biotech signed a term sheet granting Jupiter Neurosciences exclusive perpetual U.S. rights to ALA-002, its next-generation MDMA-based therapeutic, in a transaction valued at more than $100 million.

ALA-002 is designed as a modified MDMA compound with what the companies describe as an improved cardiovascular safety profile and reduced abuse potential compared to traditional MDMA formulations.

For PharmAla, the transaction expands the company’s strategy of monetizing its growing MDXX intellectual property portfolio. For Jupiter Neurosciences, the deal broadens its central nervous system pipeline into psychedelic therapeutics and next-generation mental health treatments. Here’s more: https://substack.com/home/post/p-198568832

BioVie completed the final patient evaluation visit for its Phase 2 SUNRISE-PD trial evaluating bezisterim in early-stage Parkinson’s disease, with topline data expected in Q3 2026. The study enrolled Parkinson’s patients who had not yet begun standard levodopa treatment.

Bezisterim is an oral drug designed to reduce neuroinflammation and improve insulin signaling in the brain. BioVie is studying the therapy across Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and Long COVID because inflammation and metabolic dysfunction are increasingly believed to contribute to neurological decline. Check it out: https://substack.com/home/post/p-198345140

Neurosoft Bioelectronics closed a $7.5 million oversubscribed seed financing round as investor interest in brain-computer interface technology continues accelerating.

The company is developing soft, stretchable brain interfaces designed to access large areas of the cortex without penetrating brain tissue, which could potentially reduce damage and improve long-term signal quality compared to more invasive systems.

The funding will help advance human clinical trials in the U.S. and Europe while supporting development of what Neurosoft describes as a large-scale cortical foundation model trained on neural recordings collected from its implantable devices. This technology has already been tested in 10 patients across ongoing clinical studies involving epilepsy and other neurological disorders. Here’s more: https://www.biospace.com/press-releases/neurosoft-bioelectronics-closes-7-5m-oversubscribed-seed-round-to-build-stretchable-and-scalable-brain-computer-interfaces

Did you know your morning coffee may actually help protect the brain in early Parkinson’s disease?

A new study found that early-stage Parkinson’s patients who drank at least one cup of coffee daily showed better executive function, including improved impulse control and mental calculation ability, compared to non-coffee drinkers.

Researchers say caffeine may help support dopamine-related brain activity, although they caution coffee is not a cure or replacement for treatment.

Check it out: https://sciencex.com/news/2026-05-morning-coffee-early-parkinson-brains.html