SyneuRx (TT6575) presents an important progress report in the “2021 Joint Spring Congress & Non-invasive Brain Stimulation Workshop” (2021.02.27.), held by Taiwanese Society of Biological Psychiatry and Neuropsychopharmacology (TSBPN), with the title of “The Omega Form of Sodium Benzoate (Ω-NaBen), a Novel Polymorphic Form, Shows Improved Solubility, Bioavailability and Antipsychotic Effects.”
SyneuRx has confirmed that benzoate is an inhibitor of D-amino acid oxidase (DAAO). Sodium benzoate increases the synaptic D-serine level via inhibiting DAAO to enhance NMDA receptor-mediated neurotransmission and therapeutically improve the symptoms of schizophrenia and cognition of dementia. Nevertheless, the therapeutic effect is not dose-efficient, which requires large dosages.
Benzoic acid plays a significant role in the long history of human civilization. It was first discovered in the 16th century by the ingenious French priest Nostradamus (1556), describing the dry distillation of benzoin gum. It was later confirmed by Alexius Pedemontanus and Blaise de Vigenère in 1560 and 1596, respectively. In 1875, Salkowski discovered the antifungal effects of benzoic acid. Furthermore, benzoic acid and its sodium salt, sodium benzoate, are commonly used as food preservatives. But no therapeutic effect is observed when taking into account only the daily intake of food.
NMDA receptor dictates cognition, memory, thinking and emotion of the human brain. Human proof of principle studies of sodium benzoate reveal therapeutic benefits for dementia and schizophrenia. To improve the therapeutic efficacy of sodium benzoate, SyneuRx discovers the Ω-sodium benzoate (Ω-NaBen) is a new active pharmaceutical ingredient that has better physicochemical properties and bioavailability than all the other forms of sodium benzoate. Ω-NaBen surpasses the other sodium benzoate and becomes a new generation innovative CNS drug with stronger therapeutic effects.
The naming of Ω-NaBen, according to SyneuRx’ CEO, Emil Tsai, MD, PhD, MAS, is due to the fact that all the other crystal forms of sodium benzoate will convert to Ω-NaBen under the challenge of stability stress test. Ω (omega) is the last alphabet of Greek. Ω-NaBen reflects the ultimate supreme value of the Nostradamus compound he first discovered and purified in 1556.
Ω-NaBen is protected by the global patent portfolio: US10336679, US10098861, US16/393762, PCT/CN2017/107436, CA3041389, CN201780072982.7, EP17865685.6, HK62020003145.3, IL266210, IN201917017013, JP2019-521650, KR10-2019-7014543, MX/a/2019/004734, RU2019113765, TW106136543.
Global trademark protections: NaBen, Clozaben
USFDA Breakthrough Therapy Designations include: Naben for general schizophrenia and Clozaben for refractory schizophrenia.
About SyneuRx International (Taiwan) Corp.
SyneuRx is a global biotech company listed at Taiwan (TT 6575), undergoing clinical development of new classes of drugs for major CNS disease conditions and COVID-19. Several early and late phase clinical trials are currently in global progress for multiple indications, including schizophrenia, dementia, depression and COVID-19.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release does not constitute any invitation or offer to purchase or subscribe for the stocks of SyneuRx. The forward-looking statements in the press release are neither promises nor guarantees of future performance, and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, which may cause huge deviation from the expected results in those forward-looking statements. SyneuRx has no obligation to amend or update this press release to respond to any events that occur after the publication of this article. New drug development takes a long time and high investment costs; however, without guarantee of success. All these unpredictabilities may put the investment at risk. SyneuRx does not encourage short-term investment. Investors should make diligent judgments and invest carefully.
