{{Short description|Pharmaceutical company}} '''RespireRx Pharmaceuticals Inc. (until 2015 Cortex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.)''' ({{OTC Pink|type=current|RSPI}}) is a pharmaceutical company based in Glen Rock, New Jersey specializing in positive allosteric modulators of the AMPA receptor known as Ampakines and cannabinoids.
==History== In February 2005, Cortex received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval to begin Phase II clinical trials for CX717 for use as a treatment for Alzheimer’s, ADHD and Sleep disorders.<ref>[http://www.ocregister.com/ocr/sections/business/business/article_394530.php News: Today's Orange County business briefs - OCRegister.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><br />In 2006, The FDA halted clinical trials for CX717 because they feared the drug was toxic. They later allowed testing to continue but at doses too low to have any effect.<ref>[http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/money/article_1594082.php Money: Innovative biomed companies woo investors - OCRegister.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><br />In July 2007, The FDA gave Cortex permission to continue with clinical trials for CX717, as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease.<br />In September 2007, Cortex filed with the FDA to test CX717 as a treatment for ADHD.<br />In October 2007, Dr. Pierre Tran became Chief Medical Officer at Cortex after the FDA refused to let the company proceed with Phase II clinical trials for CX717 as a treatment for ADHD.<ref>[http://ocbiz.freedomblogging.com/category/biomedical/cortex-pharmaceuticals/ Cortex Pharmaceuticals - OC Business News - OCRegister.com<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080507010159/http://ocbiz.freedomblogging.com/category/biomedical/cortex-pharmaceuticals/ |date=2008-05-07 }}</ref><br />In March 2008, German regulators approved clinical studies for using CX717 to prevent breathing problems caused by opiate pain-killers. In May 2008, President and CEO Dr. Roger Stoll announced that he was resigning and would be replaced by Mark Varney.<ref>[http://innovation.freedomblogging.com/category/innovation-within-companies/cortex-pharmaceuticals/ Cortex Pharmaceuticals - Biomedical Innovation with Colin Stewart - OCRegister.com<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080104194047/http://innovation.freedomblogging.com/category/innovation-within-companies/cortex-pharmaceuticals/ |date=2008-01-04 }}</ref> In March 2013, Dr. Arnold S. Lippa, was named chairman, President, and CEO, taking over leadership of the company. In August 2015, Dr. James S. Manuso, was appointed president, CEO, and Vice Chairman.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Annual report |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/849636/000149315221008869/form10-k.htm |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=2025-10-02}}</ref> Dr. Manuso led the company until his resignation on September 30, 2018. Following his departure, Dr. Arnold S. Lippa returned to the leadership team as Interim Chief Executive Officer and Interim President on October 12, 2018, positions he held until May 6, 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Annual report |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/849636/000149315223012542/form10-k.htm |archive-date= |access-date=2025-10-02}}</ref> Timothy Jones assumed the roles of President and CEO until January 31, 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Annual report |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/849636/000149315223012542/form10-k.htm |access-date=2025-10-02}}</ref> Currently, Dr. Arnold S. Lippa is Interim CEO and Interim President, while continuing to serve as Executive Chairman and Chief Scientific Officer (as of 2025).<ref>{{Cite web |title=RespireRx Pharmaceuticals Inc. CFO and CEO Issue Letter to Stockholders, Stakeholders, Strategic and Potential Strategic Partners and Other Interested Parties |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/849636/000149315225005521/ex99-1.htm |access-date=2025-10-02}}</ref>
On June 13, 2018, RespireRx Pharmaceuticals Inc. entered into a letter of intent with Noramco Inc., a producer of controlled substances bulk APIs for the pharmaceutical industry, pursuant to which the parties have entered into a 90-day period, during which they will negotiate a definitive agreement regarding the RespireRx's development of dronabinol, a synthetic cannabinoid, also known as Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol or Δ9-THC.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sleepreviewmag.com/2018/06/respirerx-dronabinol-obstructive-sleep-apnea/|title=RespireRx Takes Step to Advance Dronabinol Obstructive Sleep Apnea Program with Letter of Intent for Co-Development and Supply Agreement|website=Sleep Review|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-21}}</ref>
As of October 2025, none of the company's drug candidates have received regulatory approval (latest Form 10-K report December 2022).<ref>{{Cite web |title=FORM 10-K Annual report |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/849636/000149315223012542/form10-k.htm |access-date=2025-10-02}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
==External links== *[http://respirerx.com RespireRx Pharmaceuticals Inc. official website]
{{Pharmaceutical companies of the United States}}
Category:Companies traded over-the-counter in the United States Category:Pharmaceutical companies based in New Jersey