Summary

Addex Pharmaceuticals (Swiss:ADXN.SW) announced on January 3, 2008 an exclusive worldwide license agreement with Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) to develop ADX63365, a potent and selective positive allosteric modulator of the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 (mGluR5) with potential for the treatment of schizophrenia.

Analysis

Much like LY404039, an mGluR2/3 agonist under development by Eli Lilly & Co. (NYSE:LLY), ADX63365 represents a groundbreaking new approach to the treatment of schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders.  Preclinical research shows activation of mGluR5 by positive allosteric modulators to have antipsychotic effects and cognitive enhancing effects in animal models of schizophrenia.
The drug development agreement between Merck and Addex could position Merck alongside Eli Lilly to be among the first to provide breakout treatments for schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders not rooted in the traditional dopamine model used by all currently available antipsychotics. Early phase II data should give us some indication of the antipsychotic potential of the mGluR5 approach in humans.

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