Evecxia Therapeutics Patents 5-HTP Synthesis

Evecxia Therapeutics, based in Research Triangle Park, N.C., has made a significant advancement by filing a provisional patent for a novel chemical synthesis process of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP). This marks a crucial step in their mission to harness the therapeutic potential of Serotonin Synthesis Amplification for treating central nervous system (CNS) disorders.

5-HTP, a naturally occurring precursor to serotonin, has shown promise in clinical settings for mood and other CNS disorders over several decades. It boasts a favorable safety record in humans. The therapeutic efficacy of 5-HTP is attributed to Serotonin Synthesis Amplification, which enhances the brain's serotonin system in a manner distinct from existing serotonin drugs like reuptake inhibitors and psychedelics. However, 5-HTP faces clinical limitations due to its low absorption and short duration of action in the body. Evecxia addresses these issues by employing pharmaceutical technologies to ensure effective absorption and sustained action of 5-HTP, thereby making Serotonin Synthesis Amplification therapy viable.

Currently, commercially available 5-HTP is derived from Griffonia simplicifolia, a plant harvested in West Africa. Efforts to cultivate Griffonia have not been successful, and concerns about habitat degradation and overharvesting threaten the future supply of botanical 5-HTP.

To mitigate potential supply risks and maintain control over the quality and production of 5-HTP, Evecxia has developed an innovative chemical synthesis method. This process is designed to be scalable for commercial drug production. The company has filed a provisional patent to secure this method and the chemically synthesized 5-HTP. Jacob Jacobsen, CEO of Evecxia, emphasized the importance of this development for risk mitigation, stating that establishing proof-of-concept for a reliable future supply of 5-HTP is a significant achievement. The new patent will complement Evecxia's existing portfolio of issued and pending patents, expected to protect their drug candidates EVX-101 and EVX-301 into the 2040s.

Evecxia Therapeutics is the pioneering company solely focused on leveraging Serotonin Synthesis Amplification for treating CNS disorders. They are currently developing two Phase 2 clinical-stage drug candidates. EVX-101 aims to serve as an adjunctive treatment for depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) for patients who do not fully respond to first-line serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs/SNRIs). EVX-301 is being developed as an emergency intervention for patients hospitalized due to acute suicidal crises.

Evecxia's dedication to developing these therapies underscores their commitment to addressing unmet needs in CNS disorder treatments. Their innovative approach to synthesizing 5-HTP chemically, coupled with their strategic patent filings, positions them to significantly impact the pharmaceutical landscape for mood and CNS disorders in the coming decades.