Targacept, Inc. has initiated a Phase 1 clinical trial for an augmentation therapy drug to treat major depressive disorder (MDD).
The drug TC-5214 is an enantiomer, a mirror-image substance with the same chemical but potentially different biological properties, of a drug previously tested by Targacept for patients with MDD who did not respond adequately to first-line treatment. In preclinical studies, TC-5214 has exhibited better overall safety and efficacy.
A Phase 2 clinical proof of concept trial for TC-5214 is planned for later in 2008.
Targacept, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRGT), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Winston-Salem, is developing a new class of drugs known as NNR Therapeutics (TM) for the treatment of central nervous system diseases and disorders.