Solvonis advances PTSD drug program with new compounds

Solvonis Therapeutics PLC has made progress in developing new treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The London-based company has completed the synthesis of compounds for its SVN-SDN-014 program, which targets key neurotransmitters: serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline. These chemicals influence emotional regulation and social behavior, which are critical for recovery in PTSD patients.

This development is part of Solvonis’s broader strategy to create effective therapies for mental health conditions, particularly PTSD, which impacts approximately 13 million people in the United States. The recently completed phase marks the third of seven planned stages in Solvonis’s translational development plan.

The synthesized compounds will now undergo pharmacological and toxicological testing to assess their interactions with biological systems and identify any safety concerns. Future steps include laboratory screening to evaluate the compounds’ effects on the target neurotransmitters, followed by pre-clinical animal testing.

Solvonis aims to select a lead drug candidate by the end of the third quarter. The SVN-SDN-014 series was previously known as AWKN-SDN-014, developed by Awakn Life Sciences, which Solvonis acquired in May. This acquisition has diversified Solvonis’s pipeline amid increasing interest in mental health therapeutics, especially for conditions like PTSD where current treatment options are limited.

CEO Anthony Tennyson emphasized the innovative approach of SVN-SDN-014 in addressing PTSD, noting the urgent clinical need for new treatments. With the synthesis phase completed, Solvonis is now focused on selecting a lead candidate and preparing for regulatory studies.