C4X Discovery Holdings plc (AIM: C4XD) said it had presented pre-clinical data at a leading industry conference that strengthens the evidence base backing the potential of its anti-addiction drug.
Orexin-1 is being developed to target the craving process and therefore is expected to be used across a broad range of substance disorders.
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On Saturday (Nov 11) at the Neuroscience 2017 meeting, in Washington DC, delegates were furnished with new efficacy stats generated by the company’s lead compound, C4X_3256.
The latest study assessed nicotine self-administration and cue-induced reinstatement; the latter is where strong cravings are triggered by an object or ritual closely associated with taking an addictive substance.
C4X said the latest information supported the development of C4X_3256 as a therapy across two distinct areas of nicotine abuse: smoking cessation and relapse in smokers.
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"This set of studies strengthens C4XD's pre-clinical data package for our lead Orexin-1 antagonist programme,” added the firm’s chief executive, Clive Dix.
“We strongly believe that the programme presents a compelling commercial case for partnership due to its broad applicability to substance use as well as related disorders, such as anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and impulse control.
“This is supported by the high level of pre-clinical partnering interest received that have enabled us to enter late-stage commercial discussions."