ADELAIDE, Australia, Nov. 17, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bionomics Limited (ASX:BNO) (ADR:BMICY) is presenting a poster on anti-anxiety compound BNC210 at the Neuroscience 2014 conference being held by the Society for Neuroscience (SFN) in Washington DC.
Bionomics' poster, The novel anxiolytic compound BNC210 is a negative allosteric modulator of the alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, shows BNC210 is a specific antagonist of the alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor with effectiveness displayed in both humans and rodents. The poster outlines the experiments performed to demonstrate that the anxiolytic effect of BNC210 is produced by negative allosteric modulation of the alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.
The poster will be part of session number 321 titled Mood Disorders: Novel Therapeutic Mechanisms, from 8am-12pm today at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
BNC210 is a small molecule discovered by Bionomics that is in development for the treatment of anxiety disorders. Data from several preclinical studies indicated it may have anti-anxiety activity and appeared to promote neurite outgrowth in vitro. It is free of benzodiazepine-like side effects and in a CCK-4-induced panic model in healthy volunteers it substantially reduced the number and intensity of panic symptoms and helped subjects recover more quickly.
To date BNC210 has been evaluated in 148 healthy volunteers and has proven to be safe and well tolerated. On 11 November 2014 Bionomics announced that it had received approval for a Phase Ib clinical trial to be conducted in France by Biotrial International, in which healthy volunteers will receive multiple ascending doses of BNC210 and target engagement will be examined. This trial is anticipated to commence in Q1, 2015. Bionomics has also submitted a Phase II clinical trial application in the UK. Pending approval this trial is anticipated to commence in 1H, 2015.
SFN is the world's largest organisation of scientists and physicians devoted to the study of the brain and nervous system. Founded in 1969 it has over 40,000 members with 130 chapters worldwide.
About Bionomics Limited
Bionomics (ASX:BNO) is a biopharmaceutical company which discovers and develops innovative therapeutics for cancer and diseases of the central nervous system. Bionomics has small molecule product development programs in the areas of cancer, anxiety, memory loss and pain. Its oncology approach includes cancer stem cell therapeutics as well as vascular disruption in solid tumours.
Bionomics' discovery and development activities are driven by its four proprietary technology platforms: MultiCore®, a diversity orientated chemistry platform for the discovery of small molecule drugs; ionX® , a set of novel technologies for the identification of drugs targeting ion channels for diseases of the central nervous system; Angene®, a drug discovery platform which incorporates a variety of genomics tools to identify and validate novel angiogenesis targets (involved in the formation of new blood vessels); and CSC Rx Discovery™, which identifies antibody and small molecule therapeutics that inhibit the growth of cancer stem cells. These platforms drive Bionomics' pipeline and underpin its established business strategy of securing partners for its key compounds. Bionomics partners include Merck & Co.
Factors Affecting Future Performance
This announcement contains "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the United States' Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements contained in this presentation that relate to prospective events or developments, including, without limitation, statements made regarding Bionomics' development candidates BNC105, BNC210, BNC101 and BNC375, our acquisition of Eclipse Therapeutics and ability to develop products from their platform, its licensing deals with Merck & Co, drug discovery programs and pending patent applications are deemed to be forward-looking statements. Words such as "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "projects," "forecasts," "will" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.
There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements, including risks related to our available funds or existing funding arrangements, a downturn in our customers' markets, our failure to introduce new products or technologies in a timely manner, Merck's decisions to continue or not to continue development of partnered compounds, regulatory changes, risks related to our international operations, our inability to integrate acquired businesses and technologies into our existing business and to our competitive advantages, as well as other factors. Results of studies performed on competitors products may vary from those reported when tested in different settings.
Subject to the requirements of any applicable legislation or the listing rules of any stock exchange on which our securities are quoted, we disclaim any intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this presentation.