DGAP-News

BioCrea GmbH: BioCrea Provides Update on Development Programs for Partners

DGAP-News: BioCrea GmbH / Key word(s): Research Update
BioCrea GmbH: BioCrea Provides Update on Development Programs for
Partners

23.04.2014 / 08:30

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Radebeul, Germany, April 23, 2014 - BioCrea GmbH (BioCrea), the
first-in-class CNS drug discovery specialist, today provided an update on
two unique proprietary small molecule programs: Long-term acting GABAA
positive allosteric modulators (LT GABAA PAMs) to treat epilepsy plus
autism; and NMDA receptor 2B (NR2B) negative allosteric modulators (NAMs)
to treat depression. The pathways of both therapy approaches have been
established in proof-of-concept trials conducted with similar compounds and
they both show great potential to overcome limitations of their
predecessors. BioCrea has initiated an outlicensing program to expedite the
progression of these assets into the clinic.

The LT GABAA PAMs program provides innovative compounds for the acute and
long-term treatment of a broad-range of seizure disorders. BioCrea's unique
PAMs act on a GABAA modulatory site that is different from benzodiazepine
or steroid binding sites of currently marketed drugs. The subtype
selectivity of these LT GABAA b2-preferring PAMs offers excellent efficacy
in multiple seizure disease models combined with a much improved safety
profile compared to current treatment approaches. BioCrea's compounds avoid
common problems such as cognitive impairment, sedation, tolerance and
dependency issues after multiple dosing. The mode of action for this class
of compound also opens up the potential to work in combination with
existing treatment approaches. BioCrea has developed multiple distinct
chemical families with excellent developability profiles, good oral
bioavailability, CNS penetration and in vivo activity. By the second half
of 2014, BioCrea will have completed the LT GABAA PAM candidate selection.

In January 2014 the US Epilepsy Foundation granted its Epilepsy Innovation
Seal of Excellence Award to BioCrea for the LT GABAA PAM program.

The NR2B NAM program is showing strong potential as a treatment for major
depressive disorder (MDD), particularly for treatment resistant patients
and patients with suicidal tendencies. By targeting the NMDA receptor
subunit NR2B, BioCrea is developing a novel first-in-class program to treat
these diseases. NR2B NAM compounds overcome the limited effectiveness, late
onset of action and side effects of available antidepressant medications.
Clinical studies with predecessor compounds have provided proof-of-concept