Sensorium Therapeutics announced positive preclinical data for its lead programs, SENS-01 and SENS-03, at Neuroscience 2024 in Chicago. These programs target anxiety disorders and drug-resistant epilepsy, respectively, and are being developed using Sensorium's Biodynamic Discovery Platform™.
Novel Anxiolytic SENS-01 Shows Promise
SENS-01, a synthetic derivative of a natural compound with proven human efficacy as a fast-onset anxiolytic, has demonstrated excellent CNS drug-like properties and a clean safety profile in preclinical studies. The molecule has shown in vivo efficacy in multiple models. Sensorium is currently completing IND-enabling studies for SENS-01, with plans to initiate Phase 1 clinical trials in early 2025. These trials are designed to assess safety, early efficacy, and target engagement using validated clinical biomarkers.
SENS-03 Targets Drug-Resistant Epilepsy and Comorbid Anxiety
Sensorium is also advancing SENS-03, a novel chemical entity with a differentiated mechanism of action, to address focal onset seizures in drug-resistant epilepsy patients. Notably, SENS-03 also targets comorbid anxiety, which is present in 80% of drug-resistant epilepsy patients. Preclinical data indicate efficacy in multiple validated seizure models and anxiety models. The company anticipates declaring a development candidate for SENS-03 in early 2025.
Biodynamic Discovery Platform™
Sensorium's drug discovery approach leverages medicinal chemistry, advanced neuronal screening models, and machine learning to identify and develop first-in-class CNS medicines inspired by natural compounds. The Biodynamic Discovery Platform™ integrates an ethnopharmacological knowledge graph with novel cellular models derived from human iPSC-derived and rodent primary neural systems. This integrated approach facilitates the phenotypic characterization of natural products and the advancement of novel drug candidates.
Management Commentary
"These data underscore the potential of our unique drug discovery strategy to develop breakthrough CNS medicines as we prepare to enter the clinic early next year," said Alexandra Glucksmann, PhD, CEO of Sensorium Therapeutics. "They build on the existing value of our first-in-class-programs with potential to address areas of critical unmet need."
