Scientists at Medical University of Vienna, The University of Queensland and Universität Innsbruck have identified cysteine stapled dynorphin A (CSD) analogues acting as κ-opioid receptor antagonists reported to be useful for the treatment of anxiety disorders, depression, substance abuse and dependence, and stress disorders.
The Scripps Research Institute has disclosed κ-opioid receptor antagonists reported to be useful for the treatment of depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, obesity, migraine, substance abuse and dependence, epilepsy and eating disorders, among others.
A schizophrenia drug in Cerevel Therapeutics Inc.’s lineup understandably stole much of the thunder during coverage of Abbvie Inc.’s takeover late last year to the tune of $8.7 billion, but much further back in the pipeline awaits another potentially lucrative prospect: a kappa opioid receptor antagonist (KORA) for major depressive disorder (MDD).
