Alto Neuroscience Inc.’s start this spring of the phase II double-blind, single- and multiple-dose study to test the pharmacodynamics of ALTO-203 in major depressive disorder represents another stake planted in a notoriously difficult indication. But getting attention as well is the push by Los Altos, Calif.-based Alto in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with a separate compound.
“The development of psychedelic medicines should adhere to the current European regulatory framework, at both the pan-European and member state level. It is imperative that developers understand and thoroughly apply the regulatory guidance and requirements that are in place.” That was the somewhat discouraging opening statement at the stakeholder workshop convened by the EMA to discuss the development and therapeutic use of psychedelic substances to address unmet medical needs in the area of mental health.
Addex Therapeutics has offloaded its portfolio of preclinical allosteric modulation drugs into Neurosterix, a new company that arrives on the scene with a $63 million series A round.
Graymatters Health Ltd. seeks patent protection for its non-invasive, self-neuromodulation approach for treating post-traumatic stress disorder. In what represents the company’s second PCT filing, GMH’s co-founders, Oded Kraft, Rani Cohen and Shai Attia, describe a method for achieving a reduction of at least six points in a Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5, following neurofeedback treatment delivered for eight to 12 consecutive weeks.
Top-line data from Seelos Therapeutics Inc.’s phase II/III study of SLS-005 in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) failed to meet statistical significance in its primary and secondary endpoints, continuing the stock’s nearly half-year downward trajectory.
Mapping brain circuits and studying the neural signals that are activated during post-traumatic stress could provide an answer to the generalized fear associated with this disorder. Scientists at the University of California, San Diego have identified a change in the expression of neurotransmitters as an adaptive response that could trigger this effect.
Synendos Therapeutics AG has received approval from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to initiate a first-in-human trial of its lead asset, SYT-510, a first-in-class inhibitor that modulates a newly identified drug target in the endocannabinoid system (ECS) to restore healthy brain physiology.
For most psychiatric illnesses, the precipitating event is mysterious. Many conditions are thought to result from a mix of genetic risk and environmental factors, but the specific trigger remains unknown. In post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the environmental trigger is usually clear. In many cases, it is all the affected individuals can think about. “Intrusive reliving” of the triggering situation is one of the core features of PTSD.
Positive top-line data from the phase IIb study of BNC-210 to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) supercharged Bionomics Ltd.’s stock. Shares (NASDAQ:BNOX) closed trading a dramatic 243.8% higher at $3.37 each on Sept. 28. The oral, selective negative allosteric modulator of the alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor stumbled last December in a phase II trial for treating social anxiety disorder but now has regained momentum.
