Small Molecule · Apimostinel
Apimostinel (GATE-202)
Second-generation intravenous NMDA-receptor modulator for the acute treatment of major depressive disorder. An amidated tetrapeptide (Thr-Pro-(2R)-2-benzyl-Pro-Thr-amide) derived from the Naurex GLYX-13/rapastinel chemotype; a benzyl substituent improves metabolic stability and potency (~1000-fold more potent in vitro than rapastinel). Acts as a positive modulator at a novel site on the NMDA receptor, independent of the glycine co-agonist site, enhancing activity-dependent synaptic plasticity (mechanism contrasts ketamine's channel block). Originated at Naurex → Allergan/AbbVie (AGN-241660) → Gate Neurosciences (GATE-202), now operating as Syndeio Biosciences. Coded as small_molecule per project convention despite peptidic structure.
Also known as: Apimostinel, GATE-202, NRX-1074, AGN-241660, 1421866-48-9
- Modality
- Small molecule
- Chemical class
- Tetrapeptide, peptide
- Chemistry
- Single enantiomer
- Mechanism
- GluN2B PAM
- Highest phase
- Phase 2
- Lead indication
- Major depressive disorder
- Developer
- Syndeio Biosciences, Inc.
- Trials
- 2 tracked · 1 recruiting · 13 sites
- Next catalyst
- 2029 — Topline data (Major depressive disorder)
Mechanism of action
Positive modulator of the NMDA receptor acting at a novel binding site independent of the glycine co-agonist site; enhances NMDAR-mediated, activity-dependent synaptic plasticity rather than blocking the channel. Same allosteric-site family as the sibling oral compound zelquistinel (GATE-251). The original 2014 Naurex Phase 2 registered it as an 'NMDA receptor functional partial agonist'; the current company characterization is a positive allosteric modulator (PAM).
| Target | Action | Affinity |
|---|---|---|
| GluN2BprimaryGRIN2B | PAM | —ⓘ |
Formulations
| Formulation | Route | Regimen | Pharmacokinetics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apimostinel oral | Oral | — | — |
| Apimostinel intravenous injection Single IV injection; doses of 1 mg, 5 mg, or 10 mg evaluated in Phase 2 MDD trial (NCT02067793) | Intravenous | Single dose | — |
Development timeline
- UpcomingPhase 2 apimostinel +/- ASAT in MDD: primary completion anticipated 2029
- Investigator-led Phase 2 study NCT06400121 (apimostinel 10 mg IV +/- ASAT digital training; U. Pittsburgh / Syndeio) started.
- Naurex/Allergan Phase 2 dose-ranging IV study (NCT02067793, 1/5/10 mg, n=151) completed.
- pendingNaurex Phase 2 (NCT02067793): single-dose IV apimostinel reported rapid 24-hour antidepressant effect↗
Apimostinel (GATE-202) for Major depressive disorder
Phase 2RecruitingMajor depressive disorder indication →
Apimostinel (GATE-202), single intravenous-dose NMDAR modulator for acute MDD. Currently in an investigator-led Phase 2 study (NCT06400121, University of Pittsburgh / Dr. Rebecca Price, with Syndeio Biosciences as collaborator) testing apimostinel 10 mg IV with or without subsequent Automated Self-Association Training (ASAT) digital neurocognitive training to extend the duration of single-dose antidepressant effect. A prior Naurex/Allergan Phase 2 dose-ranging study (NCT02067793, 1/5/10 mg IV, n=151) completed Feb 2015.
Readouts
- 2029AnticipatedTopline dataNCT06400121
Phase 2 apimostinel +/- ASAT in MDD: primary completion anticipated 2029
- 2015-02-01ReportedTopline datapendingNCT02067793
Naurex Phase 2 (NCT02067793): single-dose IV apimostinel reported rapid 24-hour antidepressant effect ↗
Clinical trials
NCT06400121Phase 2Recruitingn=150
Phase 2, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Single Intravenous Dose, Parallel Efficacy Study of Apimostinel With or Without Subsequent Automated Self-Association Training in Subjects With Major Depressive Disorder
NCT02067793Phase 2Completedn=151
Study of Intravenous NRX-1074 in Patients With Major Depressive Disorder
Identifiers
- ChEMBL CHEMBL3545230
- PubChem CID 71249967
- FDA UNII TTT1F11FZB
Sources
- Apimostinel — Wikipedia
- Apimostinel + Automated Neurocognitive Training for Depression (NCT06400121) — ClinicalTrials.gov
- Gate Neurosciences and University of Pittsburgh Collaborate to Initiate Phase 2 Trial Combining Apimostinel with Digital Therapeutic for Depression — Syndeio Biosciences / Gate Neurosciences
- Study of Intravenous NRX-1074 in Patients With Major Depressive Disorder — ClinicalTrials.gov