CNS drug development Archives - Medical Design Sourcing

Psychogenics CEO explores CNS drug development trends

In the late 2000s, many companies, particularly Big Pharma, exited the field of central nervous system (CNS) drug development and, particularly psychiatry. “Big Pharma exited the space because they were facing their patent cliff at the time and had to make some critical decisions about where to invest their resources,” said Emer Leahy, CEO of the contract research organization Psychogenics. “Oncology won out over CNS,” she added.

In a recent interview, Leahy opened up on the current renaissance in CNS drug development, including the role of AI while also touching on the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act on the field.

Innovation in next-generation medicines for neuropsychiatric disorders continues

Emer Leahy

Interest in ketamine for mood disorders has been a game-changer for CNS drug development. “Ketamine has shown to be effective in populations where they have been resistant to all therapies to d…

4 next-gen CNS drug development trends

Healthy neuron [Image courtesy of NIH]

The past couple of years have had a significant impact on CNS drug development, but it remains difficult to gauge how the field will evolve in the coming years. Many Big Pharma companies have AI initiatives, but most remain at a nascent stage.

The pandemic has exacerbated the mental health crisis, leading to a surge in interest in potentially new treatment options, including psychedelic-inspired molecules. But Big Pharma companies continue to largely sit on the sidelines and let others derisk a class of drugs that have been illegal for decades.

The following article examines a range of topics pertinent to CNS drug development. We touch on the current state of AI adoption and discuss the potential of non-hallucinogenic psychedelic drugs and the future role of connected sensors in CNS clinical trials.

1. Big Pharma will continue to rely on AI partnerships — for …

The CNS drug development drum beat is getting louder

[image courtesy of Pixabay]

The late 1980s and the 1990s were something of a gold rush for pharmaceutical companies focused on CNS drug development — especially those developing psychiatric drugs. In 1988, Eli Lilly introduced the blockbuster SSRI Prozac (fluoxetine), then a new type of antidepressant. Big Pharma companies launched several SSRIs in the years that followed.

By the end of the 2000s, the rate of development of antidepressants and psychiatric medicines, more broadly, had crawled to a near standstill as Big Pharma companies slashed R&D budgets for CNS drugs and chose to exit the mental health space. “They were facing patent cliffs and had to make some critical decisions,” said Emer Leahy, said CEO of PsychoGenics.

The tide is now turning. A growing number of well-funded smaller companies with venture backing are emerging in a quest to develop novel psychiatric drugs. “T…