Graft Polymer (UK) PLC (LSE:GPL) has reported significant advances in its collaboration with Awakn Life Sciences Corp aimed at developing new therapeutics for trauma-related mental health disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Awakn has successfully identified two aminoindane chemical series as lead candidates, marking a crucial step forward in drug development.
Investors were told these compounds show promise in improving treatment options for conditions like PTSD, which affects millions globally.
Alongside this, synthesis pathways for these compounds have been defined, ensuring scalable production as the project advances towards more rigorous pharmacological testing, Graft said.
To further bolster the collaboration, Charnwood Discovery, a UK-based leader in drug discovery services, has been selected as the synthesis partner.
This tie-up will ensure that the synthesis of these drug candidates will be carried out with high technical standards, which is vital for the project's success as it moves into more complex stages of development.
"We are thrilled with the progress made in our collaboration with Awakn," said Graft CEO Anthony Tennyson.
"The identification of the lead chemical series and the filing of a new patent significantly advance our goal of developing transformative therapies for trauma-related mental health disorders such as PTSD.
"These developments not only validate the scientific strength of the partnership but also position us well for the next stages of development. The addition of Charnwood Discovery as our synthesis partner further ensures that we are on the right path towards bringing these promising compounds to market."
In addition to these developments, a new provisional patent was filed on August 27 with the US Patent and Trademark Office.
This covers a new class of aminoindane chemical entities and their derivatives, strengthening the intellectual property foundation of the collaboration.
The filing is incorporated into the existing commercial collaboration agreement between Graft Polymer and Awakn, reinforcing their competitive advantage in the biopharmaceutical market.