mGluR Antagonism

BrainCells is a clinical stage company that is developing novel therapies for the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) diseases based on the principal of blocking or antagonizing select metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR). Glutamate, an amino acid, functions as a neurotransmitter and glutamate receptors are implicated in a number of CNS diseases due to their central role in excitation of neural cells.

BrainCells has identified a novel mGluR2/3 antagonist, BCI-632. The compound and its prodrug, BCI-838, have been extensively studied in preclinical models suggesting broad therapeutic potential in the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD), treatment resistant depression (TRD) and potentially Alzheimer’s disease (AD). BrainCells has completed a Phase I study of BCI-838 and plans to initiate a Proof of Concept study in patients with TRD in the 4th quarter of 2012.