Cerecor announces initiation of second CERC-501 Phase II clinical trial in smokers
Study to evaluate the effect of CERC-501 on stress-related smoking lapse.
Cerecor has announced that Dr Sherry McKee from Yale University has enrolled the first subject in the Phase II clinical trial for CERC-501, “Does CERC-501 Attenuate Stress-Related Smoking Lapse?” The study is a collaborative effort between Cerecor and Dr McKee and is supported by funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). “Stress is a primary contributor to the maintenance of, and relapse to, smoking, and targeting stress-related relapse as a medication development strategy is a critical, yet relatively unexplored area of research,” says Dr McKee. "Preclinical findings suggest that the kappa opioid receptor system is involved in stress-induced relapse to tobacco and we anticipate that a receptor antagonist, such as CERC-501, has the potential to be of therapeutic benefit.”
The primary objective of the double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study is to evaluate whether CERC-501, compared to placebo, will increase the ability to resist smoking, and reduce subsequent smoking following overnight nicotine deprivation and personalized stress imagery in subjects who are heavy smokers. “We are enthusiastic about the potential use of CERC-501 for addictive disorders, including smoking cessation,” said Dr Ronald N. Marcus, Chief Medical Officer and Head of Regulatory Affairs at Cerecor.
Related News
-
News Understanding the Benefits and Advances of Cleanroom Technology
In an industry where precision and sterility are crucial concerns, cleanrooms play a vital role in maintaining the integrity of pharmaceutical products like drugs, vaccines, and other medical products. So, what is a cleanroom?
-
News AbbVie secures GBP£1.2 billion deal for Gilgamesh’s psychedelic programme
AbbVie has penned a significant agreement to acquire the bretisilocin programme from Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals for up to £1.2 billion, marking a bold step in the pharmaceutical giant's quest to develop treatments for psychiatric disorders. -
News Gates Foundation commits US$2.5 billion to women’s health research
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has announced a substantial US$2.5 billion commitment to accelerate research and development focused exclusively on women's health through 2030.
-
News Mid-year review: notable FDA drug approvals of 2025
As we fly past the halfway point of 2025, the pharmaceutical landscape reliably continues to evolve with innovative therapies addressing critical medical needs. The FDA has already approved 17 groundbreaking medications this year, each representin... -
News US FDA announces new priority vouchers for accelerated review times
The US FDA announced a new priority program for drug developers – the Commissioner’s National Priority Voucher (CNPV) program aims to enhance the health interests of the US by allowing drug developers to redeem a voucher, shortening th... -
News Google-backed start-up raises US$600 million to support AI drug discovery and design
London-based Isomorphic Labs, an AI-driven drug design and development start-up backed by Google’s AI research lab DeepMind, has raised US$600 million in its first external funding round by Thrive Capital. The funding will provide further power t... -
News AstraZeneca to invest US$2.5 billion in Beijing R&D centre
Amid investigations of former AstraZeneca China head Leon Wang in 2024, AstraZeneca have outlined plans to establish its sixth global strategic R&D centre in China. Their aim is to further advance life sciences in China with major research and manufact... -
News Experimental drug for managing aortic valve stenosis shows promise
The new small molecule drug ataciguat is garnering attention for its potential to manage aortic valve stenosis, which may prevent the need for surgery and significantly improve patient experience.