Biomedical Catalyst – Development of a Kv3 Positive Modulator for the treatment of Schizophrenia
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Manchester
Department Name: UNLISTED
Abstract
The Autifony-Newcastle-Manchester consortium will develop a new treatment for schizophrenia that targets a novel brain potassium channel, Kv3, that is intimately linked to the emerging understanding of the pathology of the disorder. This first-in-class treatment has the potential to address significant unmet patient need for schizophrenia, a serious psychiatric illness that has seen diminishing investment in research in recent years, despite the huge social and economic burden that it imposes in the UK and across the world. Patients with schizophrenia have a poor quality of life and poor prognosis due to debilitating cognitive and negative symptoms that make work and relationships difficult to sustain. This new drug will treat these symptoms, providing significant improvement over existing medicines and with a lower burden of side effects. Autifony's drug development will be backed up by three leading UK academic groups in the field.
Technical Summary
The Autifony-Newcastle-Manchester consortium will develop a new treatment for schizophrenia that targets a novel brain potassium channel, Kv3, that is intimately linked to the emerging understanding of the pathology of the disorder. This first-in-class treatment has the potential to address significant unmet patient need for schizophrenia, a serious psychiatric illness that has seen diminishing investment in research in recent years, despite the huge social and economic burden that it imposes in the UK and across the world. Patients with schizophrenia have a poor quality of life and poor prognosis due to debilitating cognitive and negative symptoms that make work and relationships difficult to sustain. This new drug will treat these symptoms, providing significant improvement over existing medicines and with a lower burden of side effects. Autifony's drug development will be backed up by three leading UK academic groups in the field.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
Publications
Leger M
(2014)
P.2.025 A novel KV3 ion channel modulator restores cognitive function in an animal model of cognitive impairment in schizophrenia
in European Neuropsychopharmacology
| Description | Clinical Development of AUT00206 for the treatment of schizophrenia |
| Amount | £2,400,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | MC_PC_15006 |
| Organisation | Innovate UK |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 06/2015 |
| End | 06/2017 |
| Description | Art Exhibition 'Re-assembling the Self: A Collection' |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Art Exhibition at GV Art Gallery; Chiltern St, London Sept-Oct 2014, partly sponsored by our TSB grant. The exhibition curated by artist, Susan Aldworth explored the condition of schizophrenia. On23 Sept 2014, 4 scientists from the project presented their work on developing a new treatment for schiaophrenia as a series of 4 short talks before an invited audience of artists, therapists, scientists and lay people. Our presentations excited a range of responses from hostile to supportive. It was evident that some in the audience thought that Pharma was paying academics to show support for their approach. I hope we convinced them that this was a genuine academic study into efficacy and not a marketing exercize! |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| URL | http://artandmind.org/gv-art-mind-symposium-24-schizophrenia/ |