Addex included in review of innovative drugs for treating epilepsy

Addex Therapeutics (SIX: ADXN), a leading company pioneering allosteric modulation-based drug discovery and development, announced that its selective metabotropic glutamate type 2 (mGlu2) receptor positive allosteric modulator (PAM), ADX71149 (JNJ-40411813), was included in a review of 13 of the latest advances related to the discovery and development of drugs aimed at improving the management of people with epilepsy. The review, titled “Progress report on new antiepileptic drugs: A summary of the Fourteenth Eilat Conference on New Antiepileptic Drugs and Devices (EILAT XIV). I. Drugs in preclinical and early clinical development”, was published in October issue of Epilepsia. ADX71149 is licensed to Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc., and is currently being prepared for a Phase 2 study in patients with epilepsy.

Regulation of glutamate release through modulation of glutamate signalling could provide a new therapeutic avenue in the treatment of epilepsy. The mGlu2 receptor autoregulates glutamate release in the brain. This suggests that mGlu2 agonists and positive allosteric modulators (PAMs), such as ADX71149, would have antiseizure properties. The review profiles the pharmacological, preclinical and early clinical data obtained to date with ADX71149. Phase I studies in several hundred individuals found ADX71149 to be safe and well tolerated.

“Inclusion in this review of innovative drugs for treating epilepsy emphasizes the distinct allosteric approach taken by Addex and our partner Janssen,” said Robert Lütjens, co-head of discovery at Addex. “We are looking forward to investigating ADX71149 in the next stage of clinical development in patients with epilepsy.”

About ADX71149 and the Addex/Janssen Agreement
ADX71149 is a novel, first-in-class, potent, oral small molecule positive allosteric modulator (PAM) of metabotropic glutamate receptor 2 (mGluR2), a Family C class of G Protein Coupled Receptor (GPCR). The development of ADX71149 is part of a worldwide research collaboration and license agreement between Addex and Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to discover, develop and commercialize a novel mGluR2 PAM medications for the treatment of anxiety, schizophrenia, epilepsy and other undisclosed indications. Under the terms of the agreement, Addex is eligible for up to a total of €112 million in milestone payments based on potential development and regulatory achievements. In addition, Addex is eligible for low double-digit royalties on sales of any mGluR2 PAM medication developed under the agreement.