Solvonis Therapeutics PLC (LSE:SVNS) CEO Anthony Tennyson talked with Proactive about the company’s decision to select SVN-114 as the lead candidate in its post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) discovery program and the opportunity the therapy could present if successfully developed.
Tennyson explained that the decision followed pharmacological studies conducted by Evotec, which showed that SVN-114 provides balanced modulation across several important neurological systems. According to Tennyson, the compound influences serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline receptors, which are all associated with mood, emotional processing and social behaviour. These systems play a significant role in the brain mechanisms involved in PTSD.
He said the results were reviewed by the company’s scientific advisory committee, led by Professor David Nutt, which agreed that SVN-114 should be progressed as the lead candidate in the program. Tennyson explained that PTSD is a complex disorder involving multiple interconnected brain systems rather than a single pathway.
The CEO highlighted the scale of the market opportunity, noting that PTSD affects more than 20 million people across the US, the UK and key European markets, while treatment options remain limited. Tennyson said: “If compounds like SVN-114 can demonstrate meaningful clinical benefits, then there's obviously a substantial opportunity to improve outcomes for patients and also to create value for the company and very importantly, for shareholders.”
SVN-114 comes from a novel chemical series discovered by Solvonis and is supported by composition-of-matter patents, providing a strong intellectual property foundation for future development. The company is now focused on completing the remaining preclinical work required to support clinical development while pursuing non-dilutive grant funding in the UK and US.
Proactive: Very good morning, Anthony. You've selected SVN-114 as the lead candidate for your PTSD discovery program. What convinced you to select this compound?
Anthony Tennyson: Thank you. Good to talk to you, Stephen. The decision was driven by pharmacological data generated in studies conducted on the company’s behalf by Evotec. SVN-114 demonstrated balanced modulation of the serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline receptors targeted in the program. That profile suggests the compound can influence the brain systems involved in emotional processing and social behaviours, which are essential to the effective treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Following review of these results, the company’s scientific advisory committee, led by Professor David Nutt, agreed to select SVN-114 as the lead candidate for the PTSD program.
Proactive: SVN-114 works across serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline pathways. Why is targeting these systems important when treating PTSD?
Anthony Tennyson: PTSD is a complex brain disorder involving several interconnected brain systems rather than a single pathway. Serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline all play important roles in regulating mood, emotional processing and social behaviour. By modulating these mechanisms, the aim is to help patients process traumatic experiences more effectively and engage more successfully in therapy.
Importantly, SVN-114 emerges from a novel chemical series discovered by Solvonis, which represents a differentiated approach to addressing trauma-related psychiatric disorders.
Proactive: PTSD affects millions of people worldwide but treatment options remain limited. If the program progresses successfully, how significant could the commercial opportunity be?
Anthony Tennyson: PTSD affects more than 20 million people across the US, the UK and key European markets, yet pharmacological treatment options remain limited and outcomes are often inadequate. This creates a significant unmet medical need.
If compounds like SVN-114 demonstrate meaningful clinical benefits, there is a substantial opportunity to improve outcomes for patients and create value for the company and shareholders.
The compound comes from a novel series discovered by Solvonis and the company has filed composition-of-matter patents, providing a strong intellectual property foundation to support future commercial opportunities.
Proactive: Now that you've identified the lead candidate, what are the key steps to move SVN-114 toward clinical trials?
Anthony Tennyson: The focus now is to progress the remaining preclinical work required to support the clinical development of SVN-114. Consistent with the company’s disciplined and capital-efficient R&D model, Solvonis will pursue non-dilutive grant funding in both the UK and the US to help advance the program.
Proactive: Anthony, thank you very much for your time today.