Graft Polymer (UK) - Initial Results University of Nottingham

Solvonis Therapeutics

11/12/2024 07:00

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RNS Number : 5847P  Graft Polymer (UK) PLC  11 December 2024

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11 December 2024

Graft Polymer (UK) Plc

(the "Company")

 

Promising results in pre-clinical study in aminoindane new chemical entity
programme

 

 

Graft Polymer (UK) Plc (LON: GPL) announces promising initial results from a
pre-clinical study of AW21003, a co-lead compound in the aminoindane new
chemical entity ("NCE") programme being co-developed with Awakn Life Sciences
Corp. (CSE: AWKN, OTCQB: AWKNF) ("Awakn").

 

The study was conducted by the University of Nottingham under a research
agreement with Awakn announced on 15 October 2024. This work forms part of the
collaborative agreement between the Company and Awakn, initially announced on
18 July 2024.

 

The programme focuses on developing novel therapeutic options for
trauma-related mental health disorders, particularly Post-Traumatic Stress
Disorder ("PTSD"). PTSD affected approximately 13 million adults in the U.S.
in 2020, with the Company estimating a current affected population of 20
million across the U.S., UK and key EU markets.

 

Aminoindanes, the focus of this programme, are a class of compounds being
explored for their potential to enhance pro-social behaviour with a
potentially improved safety profile compared to existing options under
investigation for PTSD. Pro-social behaviour, which includes fostering trust,
empathy, and social bonding, is increasingly recognised as a key therapeutic
target for the treatment of PTSD. Enhancing such behaviours may help
individuals overcome isolation, rebuild relationships, and engage more
effectively in therapy.

 

 

Study Highlights:

 

·      Social Interaction and Information Transfer: AW21003 enhanced
observer animals' ability to learn and retain information, as evidenced by
increased consumption of a demonstrated (correct) flavoured diet versus a
novel (incorrect) one.

 

·      Behavioural Safety Indicators: Unlike MDMA, a comparative test
standard known to induce stereotyped behaviours (e.g., flat body posture and
lateral head weaving), AW21003-treated animals exhibited no such behaviours,
suggesting a favourable safety profile.

·      Unique Observations: Test-standard animals preferred the correct
diet, indicating baseline pro-social tendencies in the experimental design.
AW21003-treated animals displayed complex preferences requiring further
investigation.

 

The study was led by Dr. Madeline King, Assistant Professor in the School of
Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences at the University of
Nottingham.

 

 

Next Steps

Building on these promising results, the Company and Awakn will expand the
aminoindane NCE programme. Key next steps include:

 

·      Synthesising additional aminoindane compounds in collaboration
with Concept Life Sciences.

 

·      Screening these compounds for serotonin, dopamine, and
noradrenaline release in partnership with Eurofins Discovery.

 

·      Conducting further pre-clinical behavioural studies with the
University of Nottingham to validate and explore the therapeutic potential of
aminoindanes.

 

 

Professor David Nutt, Senior Scientific Advisor to Graft Polymer (UK) Plc,
commented: "These findings represent an important milestone for our
aminoindane programme. Developing compounds that combine therapeutic efficacy
with improved safety has transformative potential for treating PTSD and other
trauma-related conditions."

 

Anthony Tennyson, CEO of Graft Polymer (UK) Plc, added: "We are greatly
encouraged by these initial results in our aminoindane NCE programme.
AW21003's ability to enhance pro-social behaviours while demonstrating a
favourable safety profile highlights its potential to address critical unmet
needs in PTSD treatment. Through continued collaboration with Awakn and our
academic and industry partners, we remain dedicated to creating innovative
therapies that significantly improve the lives of individuals living with
trauma-related mental health disorders."

 

 

Enquiries:

 

Graft Polymer (UK) Plc

Anthony Tennyson, CEO and Executive Director.
anthonytennyson@graftpolymer.co.uk

 

Allenby Capital (Broker) +44 (0) 20 3328 5656

Nick Naylor / Liz Kirchner (Corporate Finance) | Guy McDougall (Sales)

 

 

About Graft Polymer (UK) Plc

 

Graft Polymer (UK) Plc is an innovative biotechnology company focused on
developing intellectual property relating to the treatment of mental health
and substance use disorders, and the co-development of therapeutics for mental
health disorders.  Our mission is to improve outcomes for individuals
suffering from these conditions, with an initial focus on trauma-related
mental health disorders, such as PTSD, which affected approximately 13 million
adults in the U.S. in 2020, with the Company estimating a current affected
population of 20 million across the US, UK and key EU markets.

 

For more information, please visit www.graftpolymer.co.uk
(http://www.graftpolymer.co.uk) .

 

About Awakn Life Sciences Corp

 

Awakn Life Sciences Corp. (CSE:AWKN, OTCQB:AWKNF) is a clinical-stage
biotechnology company developing therapeutics targeting substance use and
mental health disorders. Awakn has a near-term focus on Alcohol Use Disorder
(AUD), a condition affecting approximately 29 million adults in the US and
approximately 40 million in the US and key European for which the current
standard of care is inadequate. Our goal is to provide breakthrough
therapeutics to addiction sufferers in desperate need and our strategy is
focused on commercialising our R&D pipeline across multiple channels.

 

For more information, please see www.awaknlifesciences.com
(https://api.newsfilecorp.com/redirect/BpVmqTyvb1)  | LinkedIn
(http://www.linkedin.com/company/awakn-life-sciences)  | X (formerly Twitter)
(https://x.com/awakn_ls)

 

 

 

 

 

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