Neurocrine Biosciences has commenced the Phase I clinical trial of its oral, small molecule vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitor, NBI-1140675 in healthy adults.
The trial aims to assess the therapy’s pharmacokinetics, safety, pharmacodynamics, and tolerability.
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NBI-1140675 is under development for treating certain neuropsychiatric and neurological conditions.
The therapy joins another VMAT2 inhibitor, NBI-1065890, which is undergoing assessment by the company in Phase I trials.
Neurocrine Biosciences chief medical officer Eiry Roberts said: “We are focused on extending our bench of VMAT2 inhibitors in development, building on our successful discovery and development of valbenazine for the treatment of tardive dyskinesia and chorea in Huntington’s disease.
“NBI-1140675 is an internally discovered, highly potent, selective VMAT2 inhibitor with the potential to provide differentiated benefit in treating certain neurological and neuropsychiatric conditions.”
Neurocrine noted that VMAT2 inhibitors have been clinically proven to be effective in treating hyperkinetic movement disorders, owing to their involvement in presynaptic dopamine storage and release.
In the previous month, the company announced the commencement of a Phase III registrational study for osavampator, which is being developed as an adjunctive treatment to antidepressants for major depressive disorder (MDD).
Furthermore, the company reported positive top-line outcomes last August from a Phase II clinical trial of an investigational oral treatment, NBI-1117568 for schizophrenia.
In 2023, the company gained Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for its selective VMAT2 inhibitor, valbenazine for treating chorea associated with Huntington’s disease.
The company is engaged in the development of treatments for individuals who have neuroendocrine, neuropsychiatric, and neurological disorders that are not addressed.
The company’s portfolio includes treatments for classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia, endometriosis, tardive dyskinesia, uterine fibroids, and chorea associated with Huntington’s disease.
