IRLAB’s IRL790 receives new name ‘mesdopetam’
IRLAB has decided to use the name mesdopetam for its drug candidate IRL790 following the recommendation for International Nonproprietary Name (INN) by the World Health Organization (WHO). WHO concluded that IRL790 is wholly unique in its mechanism of action and has, therefore, assigned IRL790 a new INN that can become a new substance class in the existing classification system for pharmaceutical substances. The INN will serve to identify the active pharmaceutical substance mesdopetam (IRL790) worldwide.
Nicholas Waters, CEO at IRLAB, commented “It is gratifying that IRL790 has been recommended the name mesdopetam, which emphasizes that it is a first-in-class substance with a new mechanism of action and has the opportunity to become the first in a completely new class of drugs for the treatment of complications in Parkinson’s disease. Mesdopetam has a unique mechanism of action, indicating that a treatment based on the substance can bring better and other therapeutic effects than current drug classes and thereby add value for patients and healthcare systems. The fact that WHO shares our assessment of the uniqueness of mesdopetam is a confirmation that IRLAB is successful in discovering and developing innovative drug candidates.”
The INN system is a WHO governed classification system that has been established to facilitate the identification of pharmaceutical substances or active pharmaceutical ingredients in a unique and globally recognized manner. Through the system, healthcare professionals are provided with a clear identification of a drug, enabling a safe prescription and dispense of medicine to patients. The proposal and recommendation of an INN, also known as a generic substance name, therefore, marks an important preparatory step in the development of a new drug. WHO publishes two lists per year with the new recommended INNs, in which mesdopetam will be included this year.
For further information
Nicholas Waters, CEO
Phone: +46 730 75 77 01
E-mail: nicholas.waters@irlab.se
About mesdopetam (IRL790)
Mesdopetam (IRL790) is under development for the treatment of levodopa induced dyskinesias in Parkinson’s disease (PD-LIDs), aiming to increase the daily time levodopa treatment helps with the cardinal symptoms of PD without the patient experiencing troublesome dyskinesias, so called “good” ON-time", through a targeted decrease of dyskinesias. In preclinical studies, mesdopetam reduces involuntary movements that occurs after a period of treatment with levodopa. A Phase IIa study in Parkinson’s disease patients with dyskinesia was concluded in 2019 indicating efficacy in LIDs. Additionally, in preclinical studies, IRL790 has shown antipsychotic properties. The company believes that mesdopetam (IRL790) thus has the potential to simultaneously treat both dyskinesias (PD-LIDs) and psychosis (PD-P) in patients with Parkinson’s disease.
About IRLAB
IRLAB is a Swedish research and development company that focuses on developing novel treatments in Parkinson’s disease. The company's most advanced candidates, mesdopetam (IRL790) and IRL752, both of which completed Phase IIa-studies, intends to treat some of the most difficult symptoms related to Parkinson's disease: involuntary movements (PD-LIDs), psychosis (PD-P) and symptoms linked to cognitive decline such as impaired balance and increased risk of falls (PD-Falls). Through the proprietary research platform, ISP (The Integrative Screening Process), IRLAB discovers and develops drug candidates for central nervous system (CNS) related disorders where large and growing medical need exist. In addition to the clinical candidates, the ISP platform has also generated several CNS programs that are now in preclinical phase. IRLAB's Certified Adviser on Nasdaq First North is FNCA Sweden AB, info@fnca.se, +46 (0)8528 00 399. More information on www.irlab.se.