PsychoGenics secures license for ENT1 inhibitor RO7117997 from Roche

PGI Drug Discovery LLC (PsychoGenics), recognized for its phenotypic drug discovery platform, has announced an exclusive license agreement with Roche. This agreement grants PsychoGenics global rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize RO7117997, an Equilibrative Nucleoside Transporter 1 (ENT1) inhibitor, which is IND-ready.

A Promising Candidate for Neuropsychiatric Disorders

Discovered through a partnership utilizing PsychoGenics’ AI-enabled phenotypic screening platforms, RO7117997 is poised to undergo evaluation as a potential treatment for various psychiatric and neurological conditions, starting with sleep and seizure disorders. Emer Leahy, PhD, President and CEO of PsychoGenics, emphasized the drug’s identification through their SmartCube platform and its novel approach in addressing neuropsychiatric disorders.

Expanding the Pipeline with ENT1 Inhibitors

David Bleakman, PhD, President of Drug Discovery at PsychoGenics, expressed optimism about the potential of ENT1 inhibitors in treating a wide range of disorders, as suggested by pre-clinical data. RO7117997, with its already established safety profile in non-clinical studies, is set for an IND application and clinical trials in 2024.

ENT1 Inhibitors: A New Approach to CNS Conditions

ENT1 inhibitors function by blocking the activity of the ENT1 transporter, leading to increased extracellular adenosine levels. This elevation in adenosine can enhance sleep quality and lessen the frequency and severity of seizures through adenosine receptor activation. The scope of ENT1 inhibitors extends to treating various conditions, including schizophrenia, addiction, neurodegenerative disorders, pain, and inflammation.