Mebias Discovery Initiates a Phase I Clinical Trial of MEB-1170, a Novel Analgesic Drug Candidate for the Treatment of Pain and Prevention of Opioid Use Disorder
Preclinical Data Demonstrates MEB–1170 Lacks Adverse Effects of Opioids Including Respiratory Depression and Opioid Abuse Potential
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Mebias Discovery Inc., a biotechnology company focused on drug discovery targeting G-protein coupled receptors, today announces its Investigational New Drug, MEB-1170, has entered Phase I human clinical studies.
Mebias developed a drug discovery platform (19Fluid) that efficiently generates drug candidates devoid of dangerous on–target adverse effects associated with many currently marketed drugs targeting G–protein coupled receptors. 19Fluid was used to develop MEB–1170 which targets the mu-opioid receptor, a well validated target for pain, but avoids the on-target side effects associated with currently marketed opioid drugs. In preclinical models, MEB–1170 is as effective as morphine and oxycodone in several pain models, does not impact respiratory function, does not require dose escalation, does not cause sedation or constipation, and shows no evidence of abuse liability. Together, these studies show the potential of MEB–1170 to treat pain without opioid side effects.
The first-in-human study of MEB–1170 will evaluate single–ascending and multiple–ascending doses in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in healthy volunteers. In addition, preliminary assessments of efficacy and respiratory depression will be conducted with the cold pressor test and capnography.
"The importance of our goal, to replace existing opioid therapy with safe and effective new analgesics that avoid addiction liability as well as other serious opioid side effects, cannot be overstated." — Scott Reines, M.D., Ph.D., Mebias' Chief Medical Officer.
About the Opioid CrisisAccording to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, opioid–related overdose deaths have been steadily increasing since 2010 with a staggering 68,630 deaths in 2020. ( https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/trends-statistics/overdose-death-rates ).
Mebias Discovery FundingResearch reported in this press release was supported by the National Institute of Health (NIH) Helping to End Addiction Long-term Initiative, or NIH HEAL Initiative, through the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), under award number UH3DA047700. The NIH HEAL Initiative is an aggressive trans–NIH effort to stem the national opioid public health crisis. Launched in 2018, the initiative focuses on improving prevention and treatment strategies for opioid misuse and addiction and enhancing pain management. The content in this press release is solely the responsibility of Mebias Discovery and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
Mebias Discovery is also funded in part by BioAdvance, Viva BioInnovator, and Life Science Angels.
Contact information:
Mebias Discovery, Inc.
Lawrence C. Kuo, PhD
President and Co-Founder
Email: lawrence.kuo@mebiasdiscovery.com
SOURCE Mebias Discovery
