As a result of the successful study in the animal model, DNAPrint has selected PT-502 as its lead compound for development.
PT-502 uses the dopamine system in order to treat depression, a mechanism of action which is different to traditional serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors such as Prozac.
The compound is one of a series of Ritalin-like compounds developed by Dr Mark Froimowitz, research professor of chemistry at the Boston College, which the company licensed in October 2005.
Ritalin is a well-known drug used for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). These compounds have the potential to be enhanced pharmaceuticals for the clinical treatment of depression, drug addiction and ADHD.
Dr Froimowitz noted that 30% or more of the patients treated with available anti-depressants either do not respond to treatment or have adverse side effects.
“PT-502 is our new compound designed to selectively block the reuptake of dopamine with a slow onset, and a longer duration of action. This pharmacokinetic profile indicates that PT-502 should have little or no abuse potential. This offers a new model for the treatment of depression that affects nearly 20 million people a year in the US alone,” said Dr Froimowitz.