Developer · United States
Navitor Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Navitor Pharmaceuticals is a privately held Cambridge, Massachusetts biopharmaceutical company developing medicines that target cellular nutrient-signaling pathways, with a proprietary drug-discovery platform focused on mTORC1. Its lead CNS asset was mefluleucine (NV-5138 / SPN-820), a first-in-class oral mTORC1 activator for treatment-resistant depression, which it developed in partnership with Supernus Pharmaceuticals before selling the asset to Supernus in 2026.
1compound
1program
1indication
Discontinuedlead asset
Pipeline (1)
- Treatment-resistant depressionDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Deals & partnerships
- Mefluleucine (NV-5138)Led by Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Partner Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
- Apr 1, 2026AcquisitionSupernus acquires NV-5138 (SPN-820) asset from Navitor under an asset purchase agreementSupernus Pharmaceuticals entered an asset purchase agreement with Navitor Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Navitor Pharmaceuticals, LLC to acquire all rights, title and interest in the NV-5138 / SPN-820 compound — intellectual property, inventory, regulatory materials, data, and associated contract rights and goodwill. No upfront payment; the purchase price consists of Supernus completing one Phase 2b study plus milestone payments of up to $350M tied to specified development, regulatory and commercial achievements (with the right to cease further obligations if the Phase 2 study is deemed unsuccessful). The deal, dated April 1, 2026 and announced April 8, 2026, was contemplated by the parties' April 21, 2020 Development and Option Agreement and a May 5, 2025 binding Memorandum of Understanding. Following the acquisition, Supernus holds and leads development of the asset.
- Apr 21, 2020Option exerciseNavitor and Supernus enter Development and Option Agreement for NV-5138 (SPN-820) in treatment-resistant depressionJoint Development and Option Agreement under which Supernus and Navitor would jointly conduct a Phase II program for NV-5138 (SPN-820) in treatment-resistant depression. Supernus agreed to fund up to $50M of Phase II development plus certain nonclinical/formulation costs. Navitor granted Supernus an exclusive worldwide option (excluding Greater China) to license or acquire NV-5138 before Phase III initiation, in exchange for a $25M upfront ($10M option fee + a $15M equity investment, ~13% of Navitor). Total non-royalty payments had the potential to reach $410M-$475M (upfront plus a license/acquisition fee plus clinical/regulatory/sales milestones). Supernus also received a right of first refusal on any similar CNS mTORC1-mechanism compound. Agreement dated April 21, 2020; announced May 5, 2020.
Recent activity
- Feb 18, 2025Phase changeMefluleucine (NV-5138)·Treatment-resistant depressionDiscontinuedPhase 2b TRD failed primary MADRS endpoint; program future under review with Navitor.source ↗
- Jan 21, 2025Phase changeMefluleucine (NV-5138)·Treatment-resistant depressionPhase 2Phase 2b TRD study (NCT05066672) reached primary completion.source ↗
Competitive landscape
Other companies developing against Navitor Pharmaceuticals, Inc.'s targets or indications.
- Alto Neuroscience, Inc.1 compoundTreatment-resistant depression
- Atai Beckley N.V. (AtaiBeckley)1 compoundTreatment-resistant depression
- Beckley Psytech Limited1 compoundTreatment-resistant depression
- COMPASS Pathways plc1 compoundTreatment-resistant depression
- GH Research PLC1 compoundTreatment-resistant depression
- Merck & Co., Inc.1 compoundTreatment-resistant depression
- Taisho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.1 compoundTreatment-resistant depression