MediciNova Announces MN-166 (ibudilast) Identified as Promising Pharmacotherapy for Alcohol Use Disorder in Drugs
The publication entitled “Novel Agents for the Pharmacological Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder,” co-authored by MediciNova’s collaborator, Dr. Lara Ray, Professor, Department of Psychology and
Key take-aways about MN-166 (ibudilast) in the publication include:
- Preclinical findings which demonstrate that MN-166 (ibudilast) reduces alcohol intake align with prior studies in which pharmacological inhibition of PDE also reduced alcohol intake
- MN-166 (ibudilast) improves mood during exposure to alcohol and stress cues, and reduces the mood-altering and stimulant effects of alcohol among participants with more severe depressive symptoms
- MN-166 (ibudilast) reduces alcohol craving on non-drinking days, reduces the odds of heavy drinking by 45%, and attenuates neural response to alcohol cues
- MN-166 (ibudilast) acts similarly to naltrexone, one of the few FDA-approved treatments for AUD, in terms of reducing the rewarding effects of alcohol
- MN-166 (ibudilast) has been evaluated in the AUD target population, compared to several agents still in preclinical development
- As neuroinflammation is observed in AUD, the effects of MN-166 (ibudilast) in treating AUD are thought to be driven by its anti-inflammatory and pro-neurotrophic properties.
- MN-166 (ibudilast) appears to be well tolerated
About Alcohol Use Disorder
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a prevalent and disabling psychiatric disorder with limited treatment options. AUD is a chronic relapsing brain disease characterized by compulsive alcohol use, loss of control over alcohol intake, and a negative emotional state when not using alcohol. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), in 2019, an estimated 14.5 million people ages 12 and older in the U.S. have AUD, less than 8% receive treatment for the disease, and less than 4% of people with AUD were prescribed a medication approved by the FDA to treat their disorder. There is a high, unmet medical need for better and more accessible treatments for AUD.
About MN-166 (ibudilast)
MN-166 (ibudilast) is a small molecule compound that inhibits phosphodiesterase type-4 (PDE4) and inflammatory cytokines, including macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF). It is in late-stage clinical development for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), progressive MS (multiple sclerosis), and DCM (degenerative cervical myelopathy); and for glioblastoma, CIPN (chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy), and substance use disorder. In addition, MN-166 (ibudilast) is being evaluated in patients that are at risk for developing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
About
Statements in this press release that are not historical in nature constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the future development and efficacy of MN-166, MN-001, MN-221, and MN-029. These forward-looking statements may be preceded by, followed by or otherwise include the words "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "can," "could," "may," "will," "would," “considering,” “planning” or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, risks of obtaining future partner or grant funding for development of MN-166, MN-001, MN-221, and MN-029 and risks of raising sufficient capital when needed to fund
INVESTOR CONTACT:
Vice President
info@medicinova.com
Source: MediciNova, Inc.
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