New research has revealed that structurally novel neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R) inhibitors reduce depressive-like behaviour and brain inflammation in mice. For decades, scientists have investigated the NK1R as a potential target for treating major depressive disorder. Early studies suggested promise, but enthusiasm faded after clinical trials of drugs… Read More
AbbVie has agreed to acquire Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals’ lead asset, bretisilocin (GM-2505), a potential best-in-class compound for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD), for up to $1.2 billion. Psychedelic compounds have gained recognition as potential treatments for mental health disorders, because of their demonstrated rapid, robust and durable antidepressant effects. … Read More
DDW’s Megan Thomas looks at a day in the life of Greg Rigdon, Senior Vice President of Scientific Affairs at Arrivo BioVentures. MT: Can you tell us what you do and what you’re working on at the moment? GR: My Arrivo colleagues and I are working on two potentially breakthrough… Read More
Alto Neuroscience has initiated a Phase II study to determine the pharmacodynamic effects of ALTO-203 in major depressive disorder (MDD) patients, as well as assess its safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics. To date, ALTO-203 has demonstrated positive emotional and cognitive effects in healthy participants after a single… Read More
Results from a Phase II clinical trial indicate that psilocybin may benefit individuals with cancer and major depression. In the study, trial participants treated with psilocybin not only experienced a lessening of depressive symptoms but also spoke highly of the therapy when interviewed at the end… Read More
MIRA Pharmaceuticals and MIRALOGX have formed a new partnership to develop and commercialise oral ketamine analog Ketamir-2, hoping to change the landscape of depressive disorder treatments. Ketamir-2 is a patent-pending compound under investigation to potentially deliver ultra-rapid antidepressant effects as early as four hours after dosing. After making its scientific… Read More
Phase II interim data for psilocybin analog CYB003 in major depressive disorder (MDD) showed rapid, robust, and clinically significant reduction of depression symptoms. Of the trial participants, 53.3% responded and 20% are in remission (i.e. no longer meeting the clinical definition of depression) after a single… Read More
Over recent months, there have been a number of ground-breaking discoveries in drug discovery for mental health conditions. A new class of antidepressants In July 2023, AlzeCure Pharma published the results of a preclinical study supporting the antidepressive effects ACD856, the first in a new class… Read More
Scientists have discovered the link between gene expression, DNA methylation, and brain structural changes in depression, revealing new potential therapeutic targets. By analysing gene interactions in mice subjected to behavioural tests, the researchers from Korea University Anam Hospital, Konkuk University, and Sahmyook University identified 141 genes… Read More
Cybin, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing psychedelic-based treatment options for mental health, has completed dosing in Cohort 5 of a Phase II trial evaluating CYB003, an investigational proprietary deuterated analog of psilocybin for the potential treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). The dosing was completed with no… Read More
Gate Neurosciences has increased its R&D capabilities with new expanded research operations and lab facilities in Evanston, Illinois. The company hopes to further build the translational biomarker data package supporting its NMDA receptor modulator portfolio and advance foundational mechanism insights behind its synaptic function-enhancing molecules. Read More
Evecxia Therapeutics has reported favourable safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic data from a Phase I trial of EVX-101 in healthy volunteers treated with escitalopram. The company is also planning a Phase II adjunctive EVX-101 trial in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) responding inadequately to a… Read More
A Phase IIa study of Alto Neuroscience’s ALTO-100 has demonstrated clear evidence of efficacy and a favourable safety record in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). In the study, patients with a biomarker profile that ties back to a mechanistic understanding of ALTO-100 and depression exhibited a… Read More
The first subject has been dosed in a Phase I biomarker study of apimostinel, a rapid-acting N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) modulator for major depressive disorders (MDD). The injectable treatment was developed by clinical-stage biotechnology company Gate Neurosciences for acute depressive disorders… Read More
Mike McCully, CEO of Gate Neurosciences, speaks to DDW’s Diana Spencer about the company’s pipeline of next-generation antidepressants and why this could be the most exciting time in the history of psychiatry. DS: How has our understanding of the brain developed in the last 70 years? MM: Although our understanding… Read More
