Expansion of SVN-015 into Depression Following Positive Preclinical Data
- • Expanded into depression following positive preclinical data in validated rodent behavioural models.
- • Antidepressant-like activity benchmarked against fluoxetine after 14-day, once-daily dosing.
- • Novel SDRI designed to engage pathways central to mood, motivation and reward processing.
- • Once-daily oral therapy suitable for at-home use.
Solvonis Therapeutics plc, an emerging biopharmaceutical company developing novel medicines for high-burden central nervous system ("CNS") disorders, announces the expansion of its investigational compound SVN-015 into the treatment of depression, supported by preclinical data demonstrating antidepressant-like activity benchmarked against fluoxetine.
Preclinical Evaluation: SVN-015 vs Fluoxetine
In a direct preclinical evaluation, SVN-015 demonstrated antidepressant-like activity comparable to fluoxetine following 14-day, once-daily dosing in validated rodent behavioural models widely used to assess antidepressant activity. Fluoxetine (Prozac®), a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor ("SSRI"), is one of the most established benchmark compounds in antidepressant drug development.
Novel Serotonin-Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitor (SDRI)
SVN-015 is a novel Serotonin-Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitor ("SDRI"), with patent applications filed, designed to engage pathways central to mood regulation, motivation, and reward processing. This supports potential in patients with inadequate response to SSRIs in depression, including symptoms such as anhedonia (feeling emotionally flat), reduced motivation, and impaired reward function.
According to the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Major Depressive Disorder ("MDD") affects more than 20 million adults in the United States annually, and tens of millions more across major international markets, including Europe and Japan.
Development and Scalability
SVN-015 is expected to be developed as a once-daily oral therapy suitable for at-home use, intended to support continuous symptom management within standard antidepressant treatment cycles. Its delivery model and reimbursement pathway are intended to align with established SSRI therapies, with potential advantages in scalability, patient access and long-term adherence.
Validation: NIDA Addiction Treatment Discovery Program
As previously announced, SVN-015 has also been independently selected for evaluation within the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse ("NIDA") Addiction Treatment Discovery Program for stimulant use disorders, providing external, non-dilutive validation of the compound's pharmacological profile in a separate CNS indication. This programme is separate from Solvonis' research on depression.
Executive Commentary
— Anthony Tennyson, Chief Executive Officer
— Professor David Nutt, Chief Scientific Officer
