Praxis debuts with abuse-deterrent stimulant

Praxis Bioresearch LLC (Menlo Park, Calif.) unveiled its lead candidate PRX-P4-003, an abuse-deterrent prodrug of the stimulant fencamfamine, and presented preclinical data for the compound on Thursday at the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology meeting in Palm Springs, Calif. The company, which has operated in stealth since 2014, is developing therapeutics to treat chronic neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders.

PRX-P4-003 is a prodrug formulation of fencamfamine, a generic dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. The oral therapy is designed to be selectively cleaved by enzymes in the intestine, which prevents rapid release after intake, a risk factor for oral abuse. It also ensures the compound will remain inactive if it is injected...