Therapeutics: Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α7 (CHRNA7)
Mouse studies suggest CHRNA7 partial agonists could help treat ulcerative colitis (UC). In a mouse model of chemical-induced UC, encenicline, a partial agonist of CHRNA7, decreased intestinal inflammation, macroscopic colonic damage and the number of ulcers and increased colonic length compared with vehicle. In a second mouse model of chemical-induced UC, encenicline decreased macroscopic colonic damage and the number of ulcers and increased colonic weight and length compared with vehicle. Next steps could include testing encenicline and other CHRNA7 partial agonists in additional UC and IBD models.
Bayer AG, Forum Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corp. have encenicline (MT-4666; EVP-6124) in Phase III testing to treat Alzheimer's disease (AD) and schizophrenia...