Psychiatric indications, such as depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, share a common feature of elevated expression of pro-inflammatory markers in the periphery and/or central nervous system. Based on this, it is believed that combined immuno- and neuromodulatory activities of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitors may represent a promising new therapeutic strategy for various psychiatric indications.

Subcommisural organ (SCO)-spondin is a brain-specific glycoprotein essential for neurogenesis with a high impact on neuronal development; thus, reduction in the production of SCO-spondin may lead to a lack of regeneration in neurological disorders.

Researchers from Anhui University presented the discovery and preclinical evaluation of novel negative allosteric modulators (NAMs) of the metabotropic glutamate mGlu5 receptor.

Researchers from Delix Therapeutics Inc. recently presented preclinical pharmacology data for DLX-001, a novel orally bioavailable, nonhallucinogenic neuroplastogen being developed for the treatment of neuropsychiatric diseases.

Abbvie Inc.’s encore to its $10.1 billion buyout of antibody-drug conjugate specialist Immunogen Inc. took the form of another takeover – this time of Cerevel Therapeutics Inc. for $45 per share in cash, which puts the total equity value at about $8.7 billion and provides Abbvie with “one of the most attractive growth portfolios in the industry,” CEO Richard Gonzalez said.

Sosei Group Corp. has reported clinical development plans by its partner Neurocrine Biosciences Inc. for two new oral muscarinic receptor agonist candidates, NBI-1117569 and NBI-1117567.

Enveric Biosciences Inc. has identified three novel compounds from its EVM301 series with the potential to offer a first-in-class approach to address difficult-to-treat mental health disorders by promoting neuroplasticity without inducing hallucinations.