Ketabon to Unveil At-Home Ketamine Therapy Advances for Resistant Depression at ECNP 2024

Ketabon GmbH, a collaborative venture between HMNC Brain Health and Develco Pharma, will present significant findings at the 37th European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) Congress 2024 in Milan from September 21-24, 2024. These presentations will highlight the efficacy and safety profile of an oral prolonged-release ketamine formulation, KET01, which has been developed for patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD).

The clinical trial results for KET01 were first published in August 2023, showcasing its potential in alleviating depression symptoms swiftly and with minimal adverse effects. Administering a dose of 240mg/day, KET01 has demonstrated sustained improvements in depressive symptoms and a superior side effect profile when compared to traditional ketamine treatments.

Executives and researchers from HMNC Brain Health, Develco Pharma, and the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf will present two posters during the congress. These posters will delve into KET01’s acute tolerability and its effects on sleep quality and sedation, both of which are common concerns associated with existing ketamine therapies.

The first poster, titled "Acute Tolerability of Antidepressant Dose of Oral Prolonged-Release Ketamine (KET01) in Patients with Treatment-Resistant Depression and Healthy Volunteers" by A. Damyanova and colleagues, will focus on the tolerability of KET01 within the first day of treatment. This session will take place on Sunday, September 22, 2024, from 12:35 to 14:00 CET.

The second poster, titled "Sleep Quality and Daytime Sleepiness/Sedation During Treatment with Oral Prolonged-Release KET01 Ketamine: Combined Results of the KET01-02 and KET01-03 Trials" by E. Papanastasiou and colleagues, will discuss the effects of KET01 on sleep quality and daytime sedation. This session will also be held on Sunday, September 22, 2024, from 12:35 to 14:00 CET.

Dr. Hans Eriksson, Chief Medical Officer of Ketabon and HMNC Brain Health, emphasized the importance of sharing these findings at the ECNP Congress. He highlighted KET01's potential to be administered without causing significant sleep disturbances or excessive sedation, which are typical drawbacks of other ketamine formulations. Dr. Eriksson stated that KET01’s strong tolerability and convenient oral administration could provide patients with an effective and manageable at-home treatment option for TRD, ultimately improving their quality of life without disrupting daily routines.

The Ketabon program is a pioneering initiative featuring an oral prolonged-release formulation of ketamine designed to treat TRD with minimal dissociative side effects. This innovative approach aims to make ketamine treatment more suitable for home use, enhancing patient convenience and safety compared to existing intravenous and intranasal therapies. Additionally, the development of oral prolonged-release ketamine may be extended to other conditions such as anxiety, aggression, PTSD, and panic disorder.

HMNC Brain Health is a global precision psychiatry biopharma company based in Munich, Germany. The company focuses on developing personalized therapies for major depressive disorder (MDD) and treatment-resistant depression (TRD), using predictive companion diagnostics to achieve higher remission rates. HMNC Brain Health operates in Germany and the U.S. and is backed by a prominent global venture capital firm, several family offices, and a strategic healthcare investor.

Develco Pharma, a Swiss-German pharmaceutical company headquartered in Pratteln, Switzerland, specializes in the development and manufacturing of orally administered modified, prolonged, and chrono-release drugs. Established in 2006, Develco Pharma employs 130 people and operates a state-of-the-art production facility in Schopfheim, Germany. The company has achieved approximately 180 market approvals globally and is recognized as a leading provider of pharmaceuticals across various disease areas.