Suven Life Sciences, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company discovering and developing novel medicines to treat Central Nervous System (CNS) disorders, announced that the first patient has been randomized in its Phase-2b clinical trial evaluating Ropanicant, a novel oral α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) antagonist, for the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).

The Phase-2b double blinded, placebo controlled study builds on the positive results of the completed Phase-2a trial, which demonstrated favorable safety, clinically meaningful and significant improvement in depressive symptoms from baseline based on the MontgomeryÅsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score, with indication of rapid onset of action in MDD patients distinguishing Ropanicant from existing standard therapies. Insights from Phase-2a evolved the study design, dose selection, and dosing regimen for the current Phase2b trial being conducted in exclusively in USA under FDA IND.

"Randomizing the first patient in our Phase-2b study of Ropanicant is an important milestone for Suven Life Sciences. It reflects our continued commitment to developing innovative treatments for patients suffering from MDD," said Venkat Jasti, Chairman and MD of Suven Life Sciences.

"There is a significant unmet medical need for antidepressants that are effective, rapid onset of action and to be well tolerated. Ropanicant, with its unique, novel mechanism of action as an α4β2 antagonist, combined with its rapid onset, no sexual side effects, potential pro-cognitive benefits, achieves the position as a first-in-class, differentiated clinical candidate that could reshape the approach to the treatment of Major Depressive Disorders (MDD)," added Ramakrishna Nirogi, Ph. D., President & Chief Scientific Officer of Suven Life Sciences.