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Highlights:
- Key testing partnership: Graft Polymer has teamed up with Eurofins Discovery to conduct pharmacology testing on its new mental health treatment.
- Focus on neurotransmitters: The testing will evaluate the impact on serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline, essential chemicals in mood regulation.
- Critical milestone: This testing phase follows the drug candidates’ synthesis and is a crucial step in developing new treatments for PTSD and mental health conditions.
Graft Polymer (UK) PLC (LSE:GPL) has taken a significant step forward in its efforts to develop a new treatment for mental health conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The company has partnered with global drug discovery firm Eurofins Discovery to conduct pharmacology testing on its promising aminoindane series. This move is part of Graft Polymer’s broader collaboration with Awakn Life Sciences and marks a critical milestone in the drug development process.
Eurofins to Test Impact on Key Mood-Regulating Chemicals
Eurofins Discovery, known for its expertise in pharmacological research, will begin testing immediately to assess the impact of Graft’s aminoindane series on essential mood-regulating chemicals such as serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline. These neurotransmitters play a crucial role in mental health, affecting mood, stress response, and overall emotional well-being. By understanding how the drug candidates influence these chemicals, Graft Polymer hopes to evaluate the treatment’s potential effectiveness in managing conditions like PTSD.
This phase follows the successful synthesis of drug candidates in August 2024, representing a major advancement in the company’s pre-clinical program. The testing will provide key data on how well the compounds work, enabling further development and potential future clinical trials.
Collaboration with Awakn Life Sciences
Graft Polymer’s ongoing partnership with Awakn Life Sciences has been central to this project. Awakn, a biotech company focused on developing new treatments for addiction and mental health disorders, brings valuable expertise to the collaboration. The pre-clinical program's rapid progress reflects the synergy between the two companies and their commitment to advancing solutions for serious mental health conditions.
Anthony Tennyson, CEO of Graft Polymer, highlighted the importance of this collaboration, stating, "The expertise of Eurofins, combined with our collaborative approach with Awakn, puts us in an excellent position to advance this pre-clinical programme swiftly and effectively."
Growing Need for Mental Health Solutions
PTSD is a debilitating condition that affects approximately 20 million people across the US, UK, and Europe. Current treatments often have limited effectiveness or come with undesirable side effects, underscoring the urgent need for innovative therapies. If successful, Graft Polymer’s aminoindane series could offer a new avenue for managing PTSD and other mental health disorders, providing relief for millions of individuals.
As the pre-clinical testing phase moves forward, Graft Polymer remains optimistic about the future of its drug candidates. The data gathered from this collaboration with Eurofins Discovery will be instrumental in determining the next steps in the development process.
