Singapore, Aug 31, 2010: Australian drug discovery and development company, Bionomics, has announced the presentation of preclinical and clinical data for its anti-anxiety compound BNC210, at the annual European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) conference in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The data presented, demonstrates preclinical and clinical attributes of BNC210, that provide further support for its development for the treatment of anxiety and depression.

The first poster outlines the performance of BNC210 in a rat model of chemically-induced panic. It is well documented that the neurotransmitter, cholecystokinin (CCK), provokes panic attacks in man and provides a model for assessing the efficacy of compounds with the potential to treat anxiety. Diazepam, which is prescribed for the treatment of anxiety and panic disorder, is known to be active in CCK challenge studies. When the two drugs are compared in CCK-treated rats, BNC210 is said to have reduced anxiety in a dose dependent manner without sedation, whereas Diazepam produced clear signs of sedation.

Dr Deborah Rathjen, Bionomics’ CEO, said she is excited that BNC210 exhibits such potent activity in this preclinical model of panic without displaying sedation which is one of the key side-effects of currently marketed treatments for anxiety. This new data builds on an already impressive body of evidence pointing to the efficacy of BNC210 in a wide range of animal models. “Based on the results of this study, it is reasonable to suggest that BNC210 may be of therapeutic benefit for panic disorders and other forms of acute anxiety in addition to general anxiety disorder or more chronic forms of anxiety as well as depression” she said.

In the second poster, Bionomics presented extensive data on the pharmacokinetics, clinical safety and tolerability of increasing single doses of BNC210 in healthy volunteers, pre- and post-food intake. The therapeutic window is said to have markedly increased when the drug is given with food. Drug exposure reached a plateau at a 600mg dose in fasted subjects, whereas, when BNC210 was given following a meal, the pharmacokinetics of BNC210 appeared approximately linear up to the highest dose (2000mg). The blood levels observed following a single oral dose of BNC210 were found to exceed the plasma exposure required for efficacy in preclinical models of anxiety and depression. In addition the drug was well tolerated up to the highest dose tested.

BNC210 is about to enter the next stage of clinical development with two phase Ib clinical trials anticipated to commence shortly.