C4X Discovery enters into new research agreement with Evotec AG for treating addiction

UK-based C4X Discovery Holdings has entered into a research agreement with drug discovery company Evotec.

Under the agreement, C4XD’s proprietary NMR-based technology and conformational design expertise will combine with Evotec’s biology and chemistry expertise. The aim is to develop several series of Orexin-1 selective inhibitors, building on elements of the substantial work which C4XD has previously conducted in the field of specific Orexin inhibitors. No financial details were disclosed.

Activation of the orexin-1 receptor in the brain is associated with stress related addictive disorders (eg, for alcohol, nicotine, cocaine and opiates), while the activation of the orexin-2 receptor is associated with biorhythms and wakefulness. Identification and development of selective compounds that inhibit the orexin-1 pathway thus should provide treatments for addiction avoiding the sedative effects associated with inhibition of orexin-2.