New bipolar treatment supported after collaboration

A phase two trial will be undertaken to test the efficacy of a drug for bipolar disorder, after a collaboration between Sound Pharmaceuticals and Oxford University. Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, affects the mood of sufferers - they experience both high and low episodes, with some people also reporting delusions or hallucinations.

SPI-1005 contains ebselen, which both mimics and induces the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the brain and inner ear. GPx activity is believed to be lessened in disorders such as schizophrenia, autism, bipolar and diseases such as brain injury, dementia and stroke.

Professor Phillip Cowen, principal investigator of the study from Oxford University, said: “Based on the novel anti-inflammatory activity of ebselen, together with its lithium-like effects on signal transduction, we hope that it will benefit patients with bipolar illness.”

Patients treated for bipolar disorder are often given lithium as a treatment option; however the side effects of lithium are numerous. They include hand tremors, hair loss, impaired memory and drowsiness as well as damage to kidney or thyroid function.

Professor Cowen said the interest in this drug arose from the discovery that ebselen inhibits inositol phosphatase, an enzyme involved in cell signalling. He added: “This action is thought to be critical to the effects of lithium in bipolar disorder which suggests that ebselen, as a well-tolerated and safe drug, might be a possible substitute treatment for lithium.”

SPI-1005 is also involved in clinical investigation for other instances of decrease GPx activity such as noise-induced hearing loss and Meniere’s disease.

Jonathan Kil MD, Sound CEO, said: “We are committed to testing our novel investigational drugs in human diseases where the unmet medical need has devastating societal impact.”