REG - Solvonis Therapeutic - Expansion of SVN-015 into depression

Solvonis TherapeuticsAnnouncement

28/01/2026 07:00

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RNS Number : 5931Q  Solvonis Therapeutics PLC  28 January 2026

 

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28 January 2026

 

Solvonis Therapeutics plc

("Solvonis" or the "Company")

 

Expansion of SVN-015 into depression following positive preclinical data

Demonstrates antidepressant-like activity benchmarked against fluoxetine
(Prozac®), supporting potential in patients with inadequate SSRI response

 

Solvonis Therapeutics plc (LSE: SVNS), an emerging biopharmaceutical company
developing novel medicines for high-burden central nervous system ("CNS")
disorders, announces the expansion of its investigational compound SVN-015
into the treatment of depression, supported by preclinical data demonstrating
antidepressant-like activity benchmarked against fluoxetine.

 

Key highlights:

·    SVN-015 expanded into depression following positive preclinical data
in validated rodent behavioural models

·    Antidepressant-like activity benchmarked against fluoxetine after
14-day, once-daily dosing

·    SVN-015 is a novel Serotonin-Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitor ("SDRI")
designed to engage pathways central to mood, motivation and reward processing

·    Supports potential in patients with inadequate response to SSRIs in
depression, including symptoms such as anhedonia and reduced motivation

·    SVN-015 is expected to be developed as a once-daily oral therapy
suitable for at-home use, aligned with standard antidepressant treatment
cycles

 

In a direct preclinical evaluation, SVN-015 demonstrated antidepressant-like
activity comparable to fluoxetine following 14-day, once-daily dosing in
validated rodent behavioural models widely used to assess antidepressant
activity. Fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor ("SSRI"), is
one of the most established benchmark compounds in antidepressant drug
development.

 

SVN-015 is a novel Serotonin-Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitor ("SDRI"), with patent
applications filed, designed to engage pathways central to mood regulation,
motivation, and reward processing. Despite widespread SSRI use, many patients
fail to achieve adequate symptom control, particularly for symptoms such as
anhedonia (feeling emotionally flat), reduced motivation, and impaired reward
function. According to the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH),
Major Depressive Disorder ("MDD") affects more than 20 million adults in the
United States annually, and tens of millions more across major international
markets, including Europe and Japan.

 

SVN-015 is expected to be developed as a once-daily oral therapy suitable for
at-home use, intended to support continuous symptom management within standard
antidepressant treatment cycles. Its delivery model and reimbursement pathway
are intended to align with established SSRI therapies, with potential
advantages in scalability, patient access and long-term adherence.

 

As previously announced, SVN-015 has also been independently selected for
evaluation within the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse ("NIDA") Addiction
Treatment Discovery Program for stimulant use disorders, providing external,
non-dilutive validation of the compound's pharmacological profile in a
separate CNS indication. This programme is separate from Solvonis' research on
depression.

 

Anthony Tennyson, Chief Executive Officer, commented: "Demonstrating
antidepressant-like activity versus a gold-standard SSRI following repeat
dosing is a notable preclinical signal, supporting SVN-015's expansion into
research and development of small molecule therapies for depression."

 

Professor David Nutt, Chief Scientific Officer, added: "These data are highly
encouraging and reflect a mechanistically grounded approach engaging both
serotonergic and dopaminergic systems. Demonstrating antidepressant-like
effects under repeat-dose conditions supports further development of SVN-015
and the broader SDRI class as a potential new class of antidepressant
medicines."

 

Enquiries:

 Solvonis Therapeutics plc                                       Via Walbrook
 Anthony Tennyson, CEO & Executive Director

 Singer Capital Markets (Broker)                                 +44 (0) 20 7496 3000
 Phil Davies

 Walbrook PR (PR/IR advisers)  Tel: +44 (0)20 7933 8780 or solvonistherapeutics@walbrookpr.com
                               (mailto:solvonistherapeutics@walbrookpr.com)
 Anna Dunphy                                                     Mob: +44 (0)7876 741 001
 Lianne Applegarth                                               Mob: +44 (0)7584 391 303
 Rachel Broad                                                    Mob: +44 (0)7747 515 393

 

About Solvonis Therapeutics plc

Solvonis Therapeutics plc (LSE: SVNS) is an emerging biopharmaceutical company
developing novel small-molecule therapeutics for high-burden central nervous
system (CNS) disorders. Headquartered in London and listed on the main market
of the London Stock Exchange, Solvonis is advancing a differentiated pipeline
of repurposed and novel compounds across addiction and psychiatry.

 

The Company's lead programmes address Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), with additional development and
discovery work supporting expansion into further addiction and psychiatric
indications, including stimulant use disorder and depressive disorders.

 

Its lead asset, SVN-001, is currently in Phase 3 for severe AUD in the UK,
while SVN-002 is preparing for a Phase 2b trial in the US targeting
moderate-to-severe AUD. The preclinical PTSD programme (SVN-SDN-14) leverages
novel serotonin-dopamine modulators designed to enhance pro-social behaviour
and long-term outcomes.

 

In parallel, Solvonis is advancing proprietary CNS discovery programmes
supported by a dedicated compound library to identify new small-molecule
modulators of key neurotransmitter systems. This platform enables efficient
early-stage innovation and supports the Company's integrated approach to
developing therapies across its three strategic pillars.

 

With a capital-efficient model, dual development strategy, and near-term
partnering opportunities, Solvonis is positioned to deliver sustained value
through innovation in CNS therapeutics.

 

solvonis.com (https://solvonis.com) | LinkedIn
(https://www.linkedin.com/company/solvonis) | X (Twitter)
(https://x.com/Solvonis)

 

 

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