Bionomics’ BNC210 anti-anxiety drug enters phase I

Bionomics’ (ASX:BNO) US partner, Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, has moved forward with development of anti-anxiety drug IW-2143, also known as BNC210, by initiating a phase I trial.

The company filed an Investigational New Drug application with the Food and Drug Administration in November.

The phase I trial will assess safety and pharmacokinetics of BNC210 in healthy volunteers using single and multiple doses.

“This is the first US clinical trial of IW-2143 and this news is welcomed by Bionomics as a strong signal of the progress being made by Ironwood in moving ahead with the study of IW-2143,” said Bionomics CEO and MD, Dr Deborah Rathjen.

Bionomics is expecting a US$2m milestone payment from Ironwood as the trial progresses.

Bionomics’ (ASX:BNO) lost half a cent in morning trading, sitting at 35c as of around 11am Friday.