PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Theranexus, a biopharmaceutical company already in the clinical trial
stages of its lead project, has announced the publication of an article
in Sleep1, a peer-reviewed journal and a recognised
international reference point for research into sleep disorders.
For
Theranexus, who discover and develop innovative drug combinations that
use the modulation of glial connexin activity to improve the
effectiveness and tolerance of certain neurological and psychiatric
treatments, this publication validates the preclinical results obtained
for its product THN102 in the treatment of narcolepsy (a rare and
particularly incapacitating medical condition involving the
unpredictable onset of sleep throughout the course of the day).
Very encouraging preclinical results
THN102 is a combination
of two products already administered to humans but never at the same
time, flecainide (an antiarrhythmic agent used in this instance at very
low dosages and for its modulating effects on the glial connexins) and
modafinil, an established wakefulness-promoting agent.
This article
describes the pharmacological properties of the product THN102 and
presents data regarding its mechanism of action. These preclinical
results, obtained from models relating to the disease, have made it
possible to prove that in comparison with the reference agent,
modafinil, the combination proposed by Theranexus presents superior
results on criteria regarding wakefulness, cognition and a reduction in
the number of episodes of sudden onset of sleep.
"This first
publication in a journal such as Sleep constitutes real recognition by
our peers of the interest of THN102 in the fight against somnolence.
This is a great opportunity to demonstrate how the connexins, small
proteins involved in the communication between cells, are a new and
particularly interesting target to improve the profile of modafinil" states
Mathieu Charvériat, Scientific Director of Theranexus. "Theranexus'
innovation and the preclinical results obtained are very encouraging,
and once confirmed in humans, could provide real hope for the improved
treatment of narcolepsy" states Professor Yves Dauvilliers,
National Narcolepsy Reference Centre and co-author of the study.
A product entering phase II in narcolepsy
"Alongside this
publication, we have also completed our first clinical study on the
effectiveness of THN102 (phase Ib) for which the results will be
released between now and Summer 2016." confirms Franck Mouthon,
President of Theranexus. "I am delighted to announce that the
product is currently entering phase II for administration to patients
suffering with narcolepsy" he concludes.
About Theranexus
Founded in 2013, Theranexus is a
biopharmaceutical company formed from a spin-off of CEA - an institution
recently recognized as the most innovative research body in the world (
as per ranking in Reuters' Top 25 Global Innovators). Theranexus
discovers and develops drug combinations with the objective of improving
the effectiveness and tolerance of established neurological and
psychiatric treatments through the combination’s modulating effects on
the glial connexins.
The Theranexus science offers a unique
opportunity: accelerated clinical development with a lower risk of
project failure in high potential CNS indications where authorized and
established treatments have problems either with tolerance and
effectiveness, or with life-cycle management in relation to patent
expiries. This has enabled the company to raise 3.6 million Euros in
seed money from Auriga Partners, Emergence Innovations (Sofimac
Partners), CEA Investissement and Rhône-Alpes Création.
www.theranexus.com
The original source-language text of this announcement is the official, authoritative version. Translations are provided as an accommodation only, and should be cross-referenced with the source-language text, which is the only version of the text intended to have legal effect.
