Addex Therapeutics disclosed that its GABAB positive allosteric modulator (PAM) candidate produced significant antitussive effects in a bleomycin‑induced idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) chronic cough model. The study, performed in animals, showed a marked reduction in cough frequency, a prolongation of cough latency, and improvements in lung pathology scores, including lower Ashcroft scores and a smaller percentage of lung tissue affected.
The safety profile of the compound was also favorable. Throughout the treatment period, respiratory rate and body temperature remained unchanged, indicating a stable respiratory and systemic safety profile in the pre‑clinical setting.
This milestone is a critical step toward IND‑enabling studies and eventual clinical trials. It expands Addex’s pipeline beyond its core neurological programs into a respiratory indication that addresses an unmet need for IPF patients who experience chronic cough and limited treatment options. The data reinforce the company’s strategy to develop small‑molecule allosteric modulators for both neurological and respiratory indications.
CEO Tim Dyer noted that the robust antitussive efficacy, combined with a stable safety profile, supports the therapeutic promise of the GABAB PAM as a well‑tolerated, centrally acting approach to chronic cough. He also highlighted that the results align with Addex’s broader goal of advancing allosteric modulators across multiple disease areas.
Addex’s market capitalization is approximately $8.29 million, and its GF Score is 43/100, indicating below‑average financial performance. While the pre‑clinical success may improve investor perception, no immediate market reaction data are available. The company has not yet provided a timeline for IND‑enabling studies or clinical development, but the announcement signals a significant progression in its development program.
Future steps will involve IND‑enabling studies to establish safety and pharmacokinetics in humans, followed by clinical trials to evaluate efficacy in patients with IPF‑related chronic cough. The company’s partnership with Indivior, which has completed IND‑enabling studies for a GABAB PAM in substance use disorders, provides a precedent for advancing the respiratory candidate through regulatory milestones.
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