Emyria Ltd (ASX:EMD) and its technology partner, the University of Western Australia (UWA), have made material progress in advancing their library of proprietary MDMA analogues, adding 19 new compounds in the third generation developed since the partnership began.
Read: Emyria and University of Western Australia expand MDMA analogue collaboration
Emyria’s library has now grown to more than 125 novel MDMA-related compounds, supported by ongoing design and synthesis and guided by screening result data generated in the first two batches of compound screens.
The company has identified three priority areas for drug discovery:
- Drug-assisted psychotherapy for major mental health disorders (next-generation MDMA analogues) where shorter-acting MDMA may be desirable.
- Novel, small molecule treatments for neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease.
- Treatments for non-neurological disorders where selective activity at peripheral serotonin receptors is of interest.
Emyria and the UWA are now planning further testing to identify lead compounds in each priority area.
Results demonstrate drug discovery potential
“Emyria’s preclinical drug discovery program, inspired by MDMA, is making great progress. We are strengthening Emyria’s intellectual property (IP) portfolio and potential slate of proprietary drug candidates targeting major unmet needs,” Emyria managing director Dr Michael Winlo said.
“Guided by our initial screening results, we have identified three therapeutic areas to target:
"(1) next-generation psychedelic-assisted therapeutics to help treat major mental health disorders and where more potent and shorter-acting treatments may offer advantages over MDMA-based therapy;
"(2) novel small molecule treatments for neurological disorders where selective receptor effects are desired; and
"(3) treatments for non-neurological disorders where selective activity at peripheral, (non-brain) targets are of interest.
“Our preclinical program complements our advanced clinical programs and demonstrates the depth of our unique drug discovery and development opportunities and capabilities.
“I look forward to updating the market with further progress and results as we advance towards our development milestones in the coming months.”
A total of 45 new compounds have now been produced under this partnership, led by Associate Professor Matt Piggott and his expert team at UWA.
“It's exciting to see the results of the first rounds of screening informing subsequent analogue design. This is the critical feedback loop that drives drug discovery,” Associate Professor Piggott said.