Psychedelic researchers are focused on unraveling the makeup and potential of known compounds like psilocybin and LSD. The goal is to understand how they might help treat patients with treatment-resistant depression and disordered eating. Others are broaching new territories for a psychedelic solution. Danish biotech company Lophora ApS created a new chemical entity (NCE) called LPH-5 that is not directly related to any known psychedelics.
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The compound shows potential to bind to serotonin receptors, and early research in rodents indicates possible anti-depressant effects. Lophora is exploring treatment potential for all central nervous system (CNS) disorders.
Researchers discovered the NCE while looking into the phenethylamine compound class, which includes MDMA, amphetamines, and methamphetamines. Like these drugs, LPH-5 binds to the targeted Serotonin 2A receptor. However, unlike the rest of its compound class, NCE appears not to bind to the off-target Serotonin 2B receptor. This is positive since Serotonin 2B binding has been linked to heart valve disease.
As with all NCEs, LPH-5 is undergoing clinical trials to break down the safety, dosing, and other key data points on healthy patients. The first official dose of LPH-5 was administered a few weeks ago, kicking off the first step of bringing the novel psychedelic to market.
“We believe LPH5 has the potential to make a real difference for people suffering from CNS disorders, and I couldn’t be prouder of our team and partners,” said Lophora CEO Bo Tandrup in a press release.
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Lophora partnered with Biotrial in Rennes, France to determine the safety and tolerability of LPH-5. Researchers will also analyze how long it takes to kick in when it wears off and how it interacts with the body on a cellular level of LPH-5. The trial will give participants a single dose before multiple ascending doses to determine these key data points.
The first cohort dosing will be completed, and data will be reviewed by June 17th. This data will be shared with the public in July, and the clinical trial phase is set to finish at the end of 2025. Results from this phase will guide how Lophora might further develop LPH-5 to serve patients with treatment-resistant depression and other neuropsychiatric conditions.
