• Marvel Biosciences (MRVL) has begun the final study of its lead drug candidate MB-204 before advancing to human trials
  • The drug candidate aims to treat Alzheimer’s disease and depression
  • The company said it has begun a four-week good laboratory practice (GLP) dog study previously approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an investigational new drug (IND)
  • This study is the last of two animal studies before advancing to a Phase 1 human trial
  • Marvel Biosciences said the Phase 1 human trial will be done in Australia
  • Shares of Marvel Biosciences are down 10.53 per cent to C$0.085 as of 9:30 a.m. EDT

Marvel Biosciences (MRVL) has begun the final study of its lead drug candidate MB-204 before advancing toward human trials.

The company’s lead drug candidate is to treat Alzheimer’s disease and depression.

In a press release, the company said it has begun a four-week good laboratory practice (GLP) dog study that has been previously approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an investigational new drug (IND).

The dog study is the last of two animal studies required to be completed before advancing to a Phase 1 human clinical trial.

Marvel Biosciences chief science officer Dr. Mark Williams said the company is currently planning the Phase 1 human trials, which he said will likely be done in Australia.

CEO RodMatheson said the company expects to enter human trials before the end of Q3 2023.

“We believe the profile of MB-204 is well-suited to address our primary markets, specifically depression and Alzheimer’s disease,” Matheson said. “Owing to the immediate effect of the compound, we are confident that it will show the active effects early on in our clinical program.”

It is estimated that one in 10 people over the age of 65 in the US live with dementia. The company’s MB-204 drug candidate is a novel solution to Alzheimer’s that is similar to the already FDA-approved Istradefylline.

MB-204 but has proven in pre-clinical studies to be more effective and longer-lasting than Istradefylline.

Shares of Marvel Biosciences (MRVL) are down 10.53 per cent to C$0.085 as of 9:30 a.m. EDT

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