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Neurovance Completes Enrollment in Human Abuse Liability Study for Centanafadine
07 / 08 / 2014
Cambridge, MA – August 7, 2014 – Neurovance, Inc. today announced that it has completed enrollment in a human abuse liability (HAL) study of centanafadine (formerly EB-1020). Centanafadine is a novel non-stimulant being developed for the treatment of adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Data from its pilot phase 2a efficacy study in adult ADHD presented at a scientific meeting earlier this year demonstrated efficacy in a range similar to stimulants. This new trial is designed to evaluate the abuse liability potential for centanafadine among recreational stimulant users. Results are expected during fall 2014.
“This is the second major advancement in the development of centanafadine for adult ADHD,” said
Anthony A. McKinney, President and CEO of Neurovance. “First, centanafadine’s efficacy was demonstrated in a pilot study presented at the Society of Biological Psychiatry Annual Scientific Meeting in May. Now this substantial HAL study will test centanafadine’s abuse profile against two powerful stimulants and placebo. If this registration-level study confirms the preclinical data, we can be more confident that centanafadine has the potential for less restrictive scheduling than the stimulants currently used to treat ADHD.”
Neurovance expects to demonstrate that centanafadine SR, a norepinephrine- and dopamine-preferring triple reuptake inhibitor, has the right ratio for the right patient, without abuse liability. The HAL study is a five-arm clinical study designed to evaluate the abuse liability potential for centanafadine at two doses among qualified recreational stimulant users compared to Schedule II comparators d-amphetamine or lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) or placebo. The leading products for ADHD are stimulants, which are heavily restricted due to abuse liability. In preclinical testing, centanafadine did not show stimulant activity and it is expected to have reduced risk of abuse and diversion.
The HAL study was designed by a team of abuse liability testing experts at Altreos, Inc. of Toronto and is being conducted by Vince & Associates Clinical Research of Overland Park, Kansas, a CRO with expertise in conducting complex clinical pharmacology studies.
About ADHD
Adult ADHD is a very serious medical condition. Approximately 10 million American adults are diagnosed with ADHD, but only one in ten receives diagnosis and treatment. Adult ADHD is often associated with serious psychiatric comorbidities, including depression, anxiety and substance abuse. According to the most recent data from IMS Health, the 2013 US ADHD prescription market for adults is now larger than that for children, with 30 million and 29 million total prescriptions written, respectively. Total US sales for ADHD in 2013 were approximately $10 billion, according to IMS.
About Neurovance
Neurovance is a clinical stage neuroscience-focused company developing centanafadine SR for adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Neurovance is led by co-founder Anthony McKinney and other seasoned drug developers who have been involved in the development of several successful neuroscience medications. Neurovance is a privately held company with headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Additional information can be found on the Neurovance website at
www.neurovance.com.