Bionomics reports strong data from anxiety and depression study

Adelaide biotech Bionomics has reported positive data from a study of its anti-anxiety and depression drug BNC210, indicating a number of potential advantages over its many blockbuster rivals.

The study showed the BNC210 affects the same or similar pathways used by blockbuster anxiety and depression drugs such as Prozac, Lexapro, Effexor, and Zoloft.

Bionomics said, however, that BNC210 is safer than these and other current drugs for the treatment of depression and anxiety. It also doesn’t lead to physical dependence as often occurs with drugs like benzodiazepam (eg Valium) and many SSRIs, nor does it have the sedative effect or memory impairment that typically accompanies many of these drugs.

Bionomics stressed also that BNC210 does not inhibit important drug metabolizing enzymes in the liver, indicating that it can safely be used in parallel with other medications. And blood levels of BNC210 in trial participants indicated that BNC210 would need to be taken only once a day, an important factor in encouraging patient acceptance and compliance.

In addition to being effective in reducing drug-induced anxiety, BNC210 is active in reducing stress-induced anxiety in animal studies, with Bionomics hoping that it might gain approval for the treatment of anxiety disorders and expand its anxiolytic profile to include panic disorder.

“This new animal data on the activity of BNC210, its safety profile in human clinical trials and indications that it lacks a withdrawal syndrome, highlights its potential to become the therapy of choice. It is a solid candidate to replace current multibillion dollar sales drugs used for anxiety and depression,” said Bionomics’ CEO & Managing Director Dr Deborah Rathjen.

The study results were presented this week at the 2010 Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting in San Diego California. One of the world’s leading events for neuroscience, the conference hosted some 30,000 delegates this year.

“We are delighted to present our latest findings on BNC210 at such an esteemed scientific event. We look forward to the completion of the current European clinical trials, one of which is investigating BNC210 effects in drug-induced anxiety and panic, with data anticipated in March 2011,” Dr Rathjen added.

The global market for drugs treating anxiety and depression is worth around $US15 billion, while the three main anxiety specific drugs Cymbalta, Effexor and Lexapro alone account for almost $US 9 billion in annual sales.

Bionomics said that clinical trials of BNC210 are currently underway in Europe.