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Headlines
- Promising Results for Xanamem: Actinogen’s novel antidepressant, Xanamem, has shown significant efficacy in treating major depression with a daily 10mg dose, leading to a 30% increase in the company's share price.
- Unique Mechanism of Action: Unlike traditional antidepressants, Xanamem blocks cortisol, the stress hormone, which is often elevated in individuals with depression.
- Dual Focus on Depression and Alzheimer’s: The drug's success in depression treatment complements ongoing research into its potential benefits for Alzheimer's disease, highlighting Xanamem’s broad therapeutic potential.
Actinogen (ASX:ACW) has announced promising results for its novel antidepressant, Xanamem, which targets major depression with a daily 10mg dose. Following the release of this news, the company's shares surged by 30% to 3.1 cents per share within the first half-hour of trading, according to data from The Market Online.
Unlike traditional antidepressants that influence serotonin and dopamine levels, Xanamem operates by blocking cortisol, often referred to as ‘the stress hormone.’ Elevated cortisol levels are commonly observed in patients experiencing stress and depression.
The company has also explored Xanamem's potential in Alzheimer's patients, suspecting that cortisol may impact brain structure and memory. Xanamem was acquired by Actinogen in 2014, originally developed at the University of Edinburgh.
Recent reports indicate that Xanamem demonstrated consistent benefits across various treatment endpoints. The results suggest that a 10mg daily dose of Xanamem effectively controls brain cortisol levels and has significant antidepressant activity.
Positive effects were noted in five out of six pre-specified subgroups, with four weeks of treatment showing the potential for a durable therapeutic effect.
Actinogen's CEO, Dr. Steven Gourlay, highlighted the alignment between the company's research on depression and Alzheimer’s. He emphasized that Xanamem’s unique approach and safety profile distinguish it in a competitive antidepressant market.
Dr. Gourlay also noted the potential benefits of Xanamem for treating depressive symptoms in Alzheimer’s disease, reinforcing the company’s focus on upcoming studies in this area.
