At Ace Therapeutics, we offer comprehensive neurotransmitter drug development services, including drug screening, candidate design and optimization, in vivo and in vitro efficacy testing, and toxicology and safety assessments. Our integrated drug discovery solutions help clients accelerate their drug discovery process, helping patients around the world better manage their disease, improve their quality of life, and reduce the burden on caregivers and the economy. With our expertise and advanced technologies in psychiatry and drug development, we strive to unlock the potential of neurotransmitters in the treatment of psychiatric disorders and help people with mental illnesses seek better drugs than those currently available to improve efficacy and minimize side effects.

Current Status and Challenges in Neurotransmitter Drug Development

Traditionally, the pathophysiology of mood disorders was thought to be caused by a deficiency in monoamines in the synaptic cleft: serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. However, recent research suggests that abnormalities in the amino acid neurotransmitter system, including glutamate (the primary excitatory neurotransmitter) and GABA (the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter), may also play a role. Thus, the effects of psychotropic drugs such as antipsychotics and antidepressants have been understood to modulate synaptic regulation via receptors and transporters of neurotransmitters.

Fig. 1 Gamma-aminobutyric (GABA) neurotransmission and current targets for therapy. (Hecking, J., et al., 2021)

Significant progress has been made in this area and is the theoretical basis for all approved standard oral antidepressants. Although significant progress has been made in this area, several challenges persist, impeding the development of neurotransmitter drugs. These challenges include:

• Complexity of neurotransmitter systems.
• Heterogeneity of psychiatric disorders.
• Limited understanding of disease mechanisms.
• Efficacy and safety concerns.
• Translational gaps and reproducibility due to animal models.
• Regulatory and market challenges.

Our Neurotransmitter Drug Development Solutions

• Disease biology research

We utilize genetic and genomic approaches to identify and validate new potential molecular targets. In addition, functional and structural imaging, electrophysiology, and blood and cerebrospinal fluid-based measurements are utilized to understand the underlying pathological processes of psychiatric disorders to accelerate the identification of new therapeutic targets for the development of neurotransmitter drugs.

• High-throughput screening

Our computer modeling and high-throughput screening techniques allow us to identify novel compounds that interact with specific neurotransmitter receptors or modulate neurotransmitter release.

• Compound optimization

Our advanced optimization techniques can help you design and optimize drug candidates to improve efficacy, selectivity, and safety. We can also help advance the discovery of your most promising antipsychotic compounds, increasing your likelihood of success.

• Preclinical evaluations

We systematically study drugs to affect a variety of observed and easily quantifiable behaviors in non-human species, primarily (but not exclusively) rodents (i.e., rats and mice). Potency, safety, and pharmacokinetic evaluations of potential drug candidates are conducted through accurate animal models and behavioral tests to provide useful information for neurotransmitter drug development.

• Combination therapies develpoment

Rather than a single magic bullet, our treatment targets is to shift toward combination and integrative therapies which can combine pharmacological, psychosocial therapies and neurotechnologies. We are now widely pursuing the strategy of combining small molecule drugs that can alter brain chemicals with existing standard treatments to achieve better therapeutic outcomes. The use of d-cycloserine and CBT for phobias exemplifies such an effective combination therapy.

Ace Therapeutics is committed to providing high-quality services to our clients. With our neurotransmitter drug development services, you can get professional support and guidance to achieve innovation and development in the field of psychiatric disorders treatment. Contact us today to learn how we can help you succeed and advance the field of psychiatric disorders treatment.

Reference

1. Hecking, J.; et al. Emerging therapeutics based on the amino acid neurotransmitter system: an update on the pharmaceutical pipeline for mood disorders. Chronic Stress. 5 (2021): 24705470211020446.