Trial Results For Schizophrenia Drug From Minerva Neurosciences Inc (NASDAQ: NERV) Boost The Company’s Shares
Minerva Neurosciences Inc (NASDAQ: NERV) has every reason to celebrate. The clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company had its shares rise 5.4% in premarket trade, a move, which gave investors some hope. The rising of the shares was brought about by the positive results of the biotech’s schizophrenia drug, which was in its phase 2b trial.
According to the results published in the peer-reviewed, ‘The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry’ cognitive improvements were reported on patients on the therapy, roluperidone. Being a novel compound, the therapy has affinities for 5HT2A and sigma2 receptors. However, it does not have any known direct binding to dopamine receptors.
Cognitive impairment in patients has been consistently associated with various aspects
The study applied Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS) in the measurement of cognitive abilities. The assessment was after 4 and 12 weeks of treatment whereby verbal fluency was found to be significantly better than when the placebo is used. Apparently, roluperidone is somewhat different from other drugs, which more often than not hinder with dopamine neurotransmission. However, results appearing on the publication showcase various benefits of roluperidone on cognitive performance.
Dr. Richard Keefe, the CEO of NeuroCog Trials says, “The data from this study suggest thatroluperidone… in addition to improving negative symptoms may improve cognitive deficits in schizophrenic patients.”
There are various aspects associated with cognitive impairment the common ones being limited social interaction, unemployment, and poor quality of life. It is also on record that impairment is a common driver of functional disability, which is an unmet medical need. Keefe points out that the available dopamine-blocking antipsychotic drugs are not having any impact on cognitive impairment.
Facts about Minerva Neurosciences
The biotech has been fighting very hand in order to remain relevant in a very competitive industry. It has kept its focus on the development and commercialization of a portfolio of product candidates. Some of its proprietary compounds include MIN-117, in clinical development for the major depressive disorder (MDD), MIN-301, in pre-clinical development for Parkinson’s disease and seltorexant (MIN-202 or JNJ-42847922), in clinical development for insomnia and MDD.
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