Ketabon to Showcase At-Home Ketamine Therapy for Depression at ASCP Annual Meeting

Ketabon GmbH, a joint venture formed by HMNC Brain Health and Develco Pharma, has announced its participation in the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology (ASCP) Annual Meeting set for May 28-31, 2024, in Miami Beach. The company will present several poster presentations, focusing on their advancements in the treatment of depression using an innovative oral ketamine formulation known as KET01.

Dr. Hans Eriksson, Chief Medical Officer of both Ketabon and HMNC Brain Health, will present findings on the efficacy and safety of KET01, an oral ketamine treatment designed to minimize side effects while offering rapid improvements in depression severity. The presentations will include a comparative study between KET01 and SPRAVATO®, the FDA-approved intranasal ketamine formulation.

One poster session, titled "Comparison of Tolerability, Safety, and Pharmacokinetics of Antidepressant Doses of Oral Ketamine Prolonged Release Tablets (KET01) and Intranasal Esketamine: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Cross-Over Trial," will take place on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, from 11:15 am to 1 pm ET. Another session, "A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Double-Blind Phase 2 Trial of Adjunctive KET01 (Oral Prolonged-Release Ketamine) for Treatment-Resistant Depression," is scheduled for Thursday, May 30, 2024, from 12:30 pm to 2:15 pm ET.

Additionally, Dr. Eriksson will discuss the results of a Phase 2 trial and a Phase 1 trial comparing the tolerability of KET01 with intranasal esketamine in the Pharmaceutical Pipeline Session on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at 3:00 pm ET.

Dr. Eriksson emphasized the significance of presenting at this leading conference in CNS drug development. He noted that KET01 has the potential to simplify depression treatment and offer an at-home option for patients, thereby enhancing comfort and convenience. He expressed the company's commitment to developing personalized psychiatric therapies and advancing alternative treatments for patients struggling with treatment-resistant depression (TRD).

The Ketabon program represents a breakthrough in treating TRD with its oral prolonged-release ketamine formulation, KET01. Designed to minimize dissociative side effects, KET01 could become the first ketamine treatment for depression suitable for home use. This formulation's pharmacokinetic profile aims to enhance patient convenience and reduce the need for medical supervision typically required with intravenous and intranasal ketamine therapies.

TRD patients, who do not respond adequately to standard antidepressants, account for nearly 30% of the estimated 320 million people worldwide suffering from major depressive disorder. The potential of oral prolonged-release ketamine extends beyond depression, showing promise in treating conditions such as anxiety, aggression, PTSD, and panic disorder.

HMNC Brain Health, based in Munich, Germany, is a biopharmaceutical company focused on precision psychiatry. It develops personalized therapies using predictive diagnostics, aiming to achieve higher remission rates. The company has a unique pipeline targeting both Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and TRD, with operations in Germany and the U.S.

Develco Pharma, headquartered in Pratteln, Switzerland, specializes in developing and manufacturing orally administered modified-release drugs. Established in 2006, the company operates a state-of-the-art production facility in Schopfheim, Germany, and offers a range of pharmaceuticals for treating various diseases. Develco Pharma is recognized internationally and has approximately 180 market approvals across Europe, the U.S., the Middle East, South Africa, Asia, and Australia.

In essence, Ketabon GmbH's participation in the ASCP Annual Meeting highlights significant advancements in depression treatment, particularly for those resistant to traditional therapies, through their innovative KET01 formulation.