New drug shows promise for spinal cord injury recovery

Experimental treatment helps patients regain function and hope

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

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Doctors are using an experimental drug called NVG-291 that is showing promising results in helping spinal cord injury patients regain function. A Chicago-area patient who received the drug says it's been 'nothing short of remarkable,' as she has regained the ability to walk and perform other tasks she previously struggled with. The drug works by helping damaged axons in the spinal cord regrow, allowing for improved communication between the brain and body.

Why it matters

Spinal cord injuries can be devastating, often leaving patients with limited mobility and function. This new drug offers hope for a treatment that could significantly improve quality of life for those affected. If proven effective in clinical trials, NVG-291 could represent a major breakthrough in spinal cord injury recovery.

The details

The drug was developed by researchers at Case Western Reserve University, led by Dr. Brad Lang and the late Dr. Jerry Silver, a renowned spinal cord injury expert. In animal studies, the drug helped damaged axons regrow, allowing the animals to regain functions like walking and urinating properly. Now, the drug is being tested in human clinical trials, with 20 patients enrolled so far. One patient, Leslie Fuller, reported improvements in her sense of smell, bladder function, and temperature regulation after receiving the drug. Therapists say the recovery process is slow but promising.

  • In 2011, researchers at Case Western Reserve University found a possible answer to why spinal cords don't regenerate.
  • In the summer of 2026, a new clinical trial for NVG-291 will enroll up to 150 individuals at sites across North America.
  • Researchers expect to have results from the 2026 clinical trial in the second half of 2027, after which they will go to the FDA.

The players

Dr. Brad Lang

A researcher at Case Western Reserve University who worked alongside the late Dr. Jerry Silver on developing the NVG-291 drug.

Dr. Jerry Silver

A luminary of spinal cord injury research who spent 40 years trying to understand why the spinal cord doesn't regenerate.

Leslie Fuller

A Chicago-area patient who was one of 20 enrolled in the initial clinical trial for NVG-291 and has seen remarkable improvements in her condition.

Will Roark

A physical therapist at NeuroHope at Driven NeuroRecovery Center in Indianapolis who works with spinal cord injury patients.

Dr. Adam Rogers

The interim CEO and president of NervGen Pharma Corp, the company developing NVG-291.

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What they’re saying

“It's the dream of every single scientist to see one of your ideas come to fruition. To see that I've made a change in somebody's life. It's incredible.”

— Dr. Brad Lang, Researcher, Case Western Reserve University (wgntv.com)

“Essentially, I felt my entire body wake up.”

— Leslie Fuller (wgntv.com)

“We don't know what this looks like in a year or two years. It's not something that happens quickly or within a few weeks it takes a lot of consistent repetitions challenge the nervous system and then see what happens.”

— Will Roark, Physical Therapist, NeuroHope at Driven NeuroRecovery Center (wgntv.com)

“We will be enrolling up to 150 individuals at sites throughout North America. We anticipate we will have results from that study in the second half of 2027, going to the FDA shortly thereafter.”

— Dr. Adam Rogers, Interim CEO and President, NervGen Pharma Corp (wgntv.com)

“We have an extremely high suicide rate in my community. Too long we have been without hope. It's finally enabling us to win this game.”

— Leslie Fuller (wgntv.com)

What’s next

The next clinical trial for NVG-291 is planned for the summer of 2026, which will enroll up to 150 individuals at sites across North America. Researchers expect to have results from that trial in the second half of 2027, after which they will submit the findings to the FDA.

The takeaway

This new drug represents a potential breakthrough in spinal cord injury treatment, offering hope to patients who have long struggled with limited mobility and function. If proven effective in larger clinical trials, NVG-291 could dramatically improve quality of life for those affected by these devastating injuries.