Vivozon Confirms Anxiolytic and Antidepressant Effects of New Analgesic Drug Candidate

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyungsoo Park] Vivoson, a bio company specializing in pain and central nervous system diseases, announced on the 7th that additional anxiolytic and antidepressant effects were confirmed in the innovative analgesic drug candidate VVZ-2471 through animal experiments conducted by the non-clinical contract research organization (CRO) Naason Science.

The study on the anxiolytic effect of VVZ-2471 was conducted using the Elevated Plus Maze test with rats. This is a representative experiment mainly used in anxiety research, where the degree of anxiety can be assessed by tracking the movement of rats in the maze. In particular, the longer the rats stay in the open arms, the more the anxiety is considered to be reduced.

In this experiment, the placebo control group was treated with solvent only, the positive control group was administered the psychotropic drug Diazepam used for anxiety treatment, and the experimental group was given VVZ-2471 orally. The results showed that the time spent in the open arms was similarly long in the VVZ-2471 group as in the Diazepam-treated group.

The study on the antidepressant effect was conducted using the Tail Suspension Test with mice. This test measures immobility time by suspending the mouse’s tail and is mainly used to study the antidepressant effects of drugs. A decrease in immobility time indicates an antidepressant effect.

The placebo control group was treated with solvent only, the positive control group was administered Fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant, and the experimental group was given VVZ-2471 orally. The results showed a significant reduction in immobility time in the VVZ-2471 group, confirming efficacy comparable to the Fluoxetine-treated group, a representative antidepressant.

Lee Doohyun, Chairman of Vivoson, said, "VVZ-2471 has been confirmed to have control effects on anxiety and depression, following the previously confirmed neuropathic pain control effect and recently identified drug addiction control effect. We are pushing forward to complete non-clinical trials quickly and enter clinical trials."

VVZ-2471 is an innovative first-in-class new drug candidate developed through Vivoson’s core multi-target drug platform. It has been confirmed to be effective in controlling neuropathic pain and is currently in the non-clinical stage. It is Vivoson’s second pipeline following the non-narcotic analgesic Ofirangerin (VVZ-149), and a domestic patent was filed in July last year.