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11 December
2024
Graft Polymer (UK) Plc
(the "Company")
Promising results in
pre-clinical study in aminoindane new chemical entity
programme
Graft Polymer (UK) Plc (LON: GPL)
announces promising initial results from a pre-clinical study of AW21003, a
co-lead compound in the aminoindane new chemical entity ("NCE")
programme being co-developed with Awakn Life Sciences Corp. (CSE:
AWKN, OTCQB: AWKNF) ("Awakn").
The study was conducted by the
University of Nottingham under a research agreement with Awakn
announced on 15 October 2024. This work forms part of the
collaborative agreement between the Company and Awakn, initially
announced on 18 July 2024.
The programme focuses on developing
novel therapeutic options for trauma-related mental health
disorders, particularly Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder ("PTSD").
PTSD affected approximately 13 million adults in the U.S. in 2020,
with the Company estimating a current affected population of 20
million across the U.S., UK and key EU markets.
Aminoindanes, the focus of this
programme, are a class of compounds being explored for their
potential to enhance pro-social behaviour with a potentially
improved safety profile compared to existing options under
investigation for PTSD. Pro-social behaviour, which includes
fostering trust, empathy, and social bonding, is increasingly
recognised as a key therapeutic target for the treatment of PTSD.
Enhancing such behaviours may help individuals overcome isolation,
rebuild relationships, and engage more effectively in
therapy.
Study Highlights:
· Social Interaction and
Information Transfer: AW21003
enhanced observer animals' ability to learn and retain information,
as evidenced by increased consumption of a demonstrated (correct)
flavoured diet versus a novel (incorrect) one.
· Behavioural Safety
Indicators: Unlike MDMA, a
comparative test standard known to induce stereotyped behaviours
(e.g., flat body posture and lateral head weaving), AW21003-treated
animals exhibited no such behaviours, suggesting a favourable
safety profile.
· Unique
Observations: Test-standard animals
preferred the correct diet, indicating baseline pro-social
tendencies in the experimental design. AW21003-treated animals
displayed complex preferences requiring further
investigation.
The study was led by Dr. Madeline
King, Assistant Professor in the School of Life Sciences, Faculty
of Medicine & Health Sciences at the University of
Nottingham.
Next Steps
Building on these promising results,
the Company and Awakn will expand the aminoindane NCE programme.
Key next steps include:
· Synthesising additional aminoindane compounds in collaboration
with Concept Life Sciences.
· Screening these compounds for serotonin, dopamine, and
noradrenaline release in partnership with Eurofins
Discovery.
· Conducting further pre-clinical behavioural studies with the
University of Nottingham to validate and explore the therapeutic
potential of aminoindanes.
Professor David Nutt, Senior Scientific Advisor to Graft
Polymer (UK) Plc, commented: "These
findings represent an important milestone for our aminoindane
programme. Developing compounds that combine therapeutic efficacy
with improved safety has transformative potential for treating PTSD
and other trauma-related conditions."
Anthony Tennyson, CEO of Graft Polymer (UK) Plc,
added: "We are greatly encouraged by
these initial results in our aminoindane NCE programme. AW21003's
ability to enhance pro-social behaviours while demonstrating a
favourable safety profile highlights its potential to address
critical unmet needs in PTSD treatment. Through continued
collaboration with Awakn and our academic and industry partners, we
remain dedicated to creating innovative therapies that
significantly improve the lives of individuals living with
trauma-related mental health disorders."
Enquiries:
Graft Polymer (UK) Plc
Anthony Tennyson, CEO and Executive Director.
anthonytennyson@graftpolymer.co.uk
Allenby Capital (Broker) +44
(0) 20 3328 5656
Nick Naylor
/ Liz Kirchner (Corporate Finance) | Guy McDougall
(Sales)
About Graft Polymer (UK) Plc
Graft Polymer (UK) Plc is an
innovative biotechnology company focused on developing intellectual property relating to the treatment of
mental health and substance use disorders, and the co-development
of therapeutics for mental health disorders. Our mission is to improve outcomes for individuals
suffering from these conditions, with an initial focus on
trauma-related mental health disorders, such as PTSD, which
affected approximately 13 million adults in the U.S. in 2020, with
the Company estimating a current affected population of 20 million
across the US, UK and key EU markets.
For more information, please visit
www.graftpolymer.co.uk.
About Awakn Life Sciences Corp
Awakn Life Sciences Corp. (CSE:AWKN,
OTCQB:AWKNF) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing
therapeutics targeting substance use and mental health disorders.
Awakn has a near-term focus on Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), a
condition affecting approximately 29 million adults in
the US and approximately 40 million in the US and key
European for which the current standard of
care is inadequate. Our goal is to provide breakthrough
therapeutics to addiction sufferers in desperate need and our
strategy is focused on commercialising our R&D pipeline across
multiple channels.
For more information, please see
www.awaknlifesciences.com |
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