Suven completes pre-clinical trials of new drug molecule

16 August 2006

Mumbai: Hyderabad-based Suven Life Sciences Ltd, (previously Suven Pharma), completed pre-clinical trials of their promising lead compounds, 5-HT 6 antagonists, a highly selective small molecule drug candidate being developed for the treatment of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) associated with Alzheimer''s disease or schizophrenia, Parkinson and obesity diseases.

The findings will be presented at the annual gathering of the Society for Neuroscience, Neuroscience 2006, to be held in Atlanta, US, from October 14 to 18.

"We are encouraged by the results of these pre-clinical studies which lead us to believe that these selected 5HT6 antagonists may provide a novel, safe and effective approach of treating diseases like MCI, Alzheimer's, schizophrenia, Parkinson''s and obesity," said Venkat Jasti, CEO of the company.

The company said it has a number of programmes in each of these areas, focusing on novel approaches that may hold promise for the development of new therapies for patients.

Neuroscience is the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience. More than 30,000 scientists from all over the world are expected to attend this year''s meeting.

Development of a drug for these diseases have significant unmet medical need and the current treatment options are insufficient, the company said in a statement issued to the Bombay Stock Exchange.