CNS

After failing in a Phase II trial in social anxiety disorder, Bionomics thinks mid-stage data for BNC210 in post-traumatic stress disorder may now position the drug as a novel therapy for PTSD.

Armed with an old drug and new data, the group is aiming to revitalize the smoking cessation market. 

Cytokinetics has a lot riding on the upcoming Phase III readout for aficamten, and crunch time is coming for plenty of other groups, too. 

Deal Snapshot: Looking to add to its neuroscience pipeline, Takeda acquires rights to the antisense candidate AS-202 from AcuraStem for development as a potential amyotrophic lateral sclerosis therapy.

With a pair of Phase III setbacks due to high placebo response, Relmada reports positive efficacy and safety data from an open-label trial while awaiting data from two ongoing pivotal studies for REL-1017, an NMDA antagonist.

The company blamed lack of funding for incomplete enrollment of the Phase II study in acute suicidal ideation and behavior in major depressive disorder, saying it would have reached statistical significance had it fully enrolled.

A new digital health venture set up by Eisai plans to start operations in Japan from April 2024 with services related to cognitive impairment and dementia, in line with the Japanese firm's therapeutic advances in this area.

Emerging Company Profile: BioAge has Phase Ib proof-of-concept data in age-related muscle loss and is gearing up for its first Phase II study, but will need fresh cash or a partner for a potential weight loss-related muscle loss study.

South Korean firm AriBio is planning to expand global Phase III trials for its oral Alzheimer’s disease candidate following an IND approval at home. Patient enrolment in a US trial began late last year.

In this week's podcast edition of Five Must-Know Things: the rise of Novo Nordisk; senior level changes at Novartis; Moderna’s progress against BA.2.86; major new CNS drugs coming; and Boehringer Ingelheim’s head of innovation on R&D priorities.

The biotech plans to file for approval for congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) next year and is now looking ahead to a pediatric study, which may pose lower risk.