Monday, Suven Life Sciences Ltd., a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing novel pharmaceutical products, announced that it has presented key biology pre-clinical data in animal models of cognition and brain microdialysis on SUVN-502, its lead 5-HT6 antagonist drug candidate, at the 2008 Alzheimer's Association International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease in Chicago and Drug Discovery & Development of Innovative Therapeutics in Boston.
SUVN-502 is a potent, safe, highly selective, brain penetrant and orally active antagonist at a nonperipheral, CNG receptor site 5-HT6, intended for the symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer's disease and other disorders of memory and cognition like Attention deficient hyperactivity, Parkinson and Schizophrenia.
The Hyderabad-based company said the results demonstrate that SUVN-502 is effective in models of cognition that are considered predictive of efficacy in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). In addition, the data suggests the potential for once-daily oral dosing with a favorable safety and toxicology profile.
The company stated that is has presented the results in two posters titled "SUVN-502 - A Potent, Selective, Brain Penetrant and Orally active 5-HT6 receptor antagonist for the symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer's disease" and "The 5-HT6 receptor antagonist SUVN-502 enhances Acetylcholine and Glutamate in rate Ventral Hippocampus and Frontal Cortex - A microdialysis study"
According to papers submitted, the data included that SUVN-502 significantly enhanced object recognition in impaired adult rats and aged rats, demonstrating improvements in both acquisition and consolidation memory processes in a model of episodemic memory. In a model of spatial reference memory and working memory, SUVN-502 restored cognitive function in aged rats.
In Microdialysis studies, SUVN-502 enhanced brain acetylcholine and glutamate levels in rate ventral hippocampus and frontal cortex.
Pharmacokinetic studies of SUVN-502 both in rats and dogs demonstrated that the compound achieved plasma and brain exposure levels sufficient for once-a-day dosing.
Blockade of 50HT6 receptor by SUVN-502 both in rats and dogs administration has an in vivo stimulatory effect on cholinergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission in the hippocampus and frontal cortex or rats.
Suven stated that the company is having dialogue with potential licensing partners for this compound. The timing of the licensing would depend on the terms and conditions of the deal and ability to get co-promotion rights in some of the regulated markets, the company stated.
The company anticipates launching the molecule in 2012 and aims to be an early launcher in this class. Other molecules in the same category currently under development include GSK's molecule presently in Phase-II.
The Chief Executive Officer, Venkat Jasti, said, "We are extremely pleased with the data emerging from our proprietary 5-HT6 antagonist program. SUVN-520 produces a robust effect in key models of cognition with a favorable safety and pharmacokinetic profile, providing a strong rationale for clinical development in a cognition indication. We commenced Phase I clinical trials of SUVN-502 at Basel, Switzerland. The study is expected to be completed by December 2008."
At the BSE, Suven Life shares are currently trading at Rs.28.70, up by Rs.2.55 or 9.75% on volume of 1.59 lakh shares.
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