SyneuRx International (Taiwan) Corp. Discover a Well-built D-cycloserine Formulation for CNS Disorders
Press Release
April 26, 2024
New Taipei City, Taiwan – April 26, 2024 –
SyneuRx International (TPEX:6575), a biotech company focused on developing innovative therapies for central nervous system (CNS) disorders and respiratory infections, today announced the publication of its research on novel enteric and nanocrystal formulations of D-cycloserine in the Beilstein Journal of Nanotechnology.
D-cycloserine (DCS), an FDA-approved medication for tuberculosis, also demonstrates potential in treating various CNS disorders, including depression, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease, and post-traumatic stress disorder, by acting as a partial agonist at the glycine/D-serine binding site of the NMDA receptor. However, DCS is susceptible to degradation in the biological environment, limiting its bioavailability and clinical efficacy.
To address this challenge, SyneuRx Ihas developed Synxyrin®, an well-built formulation of DCS designed to enhance its stability and improve drug delivery.
This innovation offers several potential advantages over existing treatments for major depression:
- Novel Treatment Mechanism for Refractory Depression: DCS targets the glycine/D-serine site of the NMDA receptor, balancing NMDA Receptor-mediated neurotransmission to achieve antidepressant effects. This contrasts with existing antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors,1 which primarily function by increasing the levels of monoamine neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Consequently, Synxyrin® provides a valuable new therapeutic option for patients with treatment-resistant depression who do not respond adequately to standard-of-care antidepressants.
- Established Safety Profile: As DCS is a repurposed drug, its safety has been extensively investigated. This is a significant advantage compared to ketamine, the only FDA-approved small molecule drug for refractory depression. While ketamine offers rapid antidepressant effects, repeated use can lead to significant cognitive impairment. Furthermore, prolonged ketamine use carries risks of neurotoxicity and bladder necrosis. In contrast, DCS has been utilized as a tuberculosis treatment for nearly 70 years, demonstrating a long and favorable safety record.
In addition to the enteric formulation, SyneuRx has also developed nanocrystal forms of DCS. These nanocrystals, characterized by their increased surface-area-to-volume ratio, exhibit improved bioavailability. The pharmacokinetic evaluations have demonstrated that DCS nanocrystals exhibit enhanced performance. These nanocrystal formulations present promising avenues for developing advanced drug delivery systems of DCS for CNS disorders.
Original Paper Information:
📄 Fabrication of nanocrystal forms of ᴅ-cycloserine and their application for transdermal and enteric drug delivery systems
📌 Published in Beilstein Journal of Nanotechnology (April 25, 2024)
🔗 Full paper: https://doi.org/10.3762/bjnano.15.42