Schizophrenia Daily News Blog

Xytis begins Phase 1 tests on New Drug for Negative Symptoms

Xytis Pharmaceuticals Ltd., (based in the UK and Switzerland) announced the dosing of the first volunteers in a phase one (I) clinical trial of XY 2401, which is primarily targeted for the treatment of negative symptoms and cognitive deficits in schizophrenia, for which currently available medications have sub-optimal safety and efficacy. This test is still just an early preliminary test - and longer term trials and comparisons over the coming years will need to be done by independent researchers to determine if it should be made available to for sale, and to determine its true, long-term effectiveness (and equally importantly, the side effects).

The company stated that XY 2401 exhibits a dual mode of action as a positive allosteric enhancer of the NMDA receptor function, and as a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. The compound's dual pharmacological mode of action addresses the NMDA-receptor hypofunction hypothesis in schizophrenia and neurotransmitter regulation in depression, according to Prof. Patrick Nef, CSO of Xytis Pharmaceuticals.

This phase I clinical trial is a placebo-controlled, randomized, single-dose escalating study to evaluate the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetic profile of XY 2401 in 48 healthy volunteers in a single European center. XY 2401 is an oral, small molecule NCE (new chemical entities).

Source: Xytis Pharmaceuticals Press/Marketing Release

To learn more about new medications for schizophrenia that are currently in development see the following special report:

New Schizophrenia Medications in Development