Minerva Neurosciences, Inc. (NERV) announced positive results from the Primomed (use of PRIMate MOdels to support translational MEDicine) study which evaluated an analog of its investigational compound, MIN-301, in non-human primates. The company’s shares went up significantly in the pre-market trading following the announcement.
Results from the Primomed study showed that the analog of MIN-301 led to improvement in a range of symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease in primates. Notably, the strongest improvement in the analog-treated population was found when their disease progression was slow.
The results were consistent with those of previous studies in rodent models of Parkinson’s disease, which showed that MIN-301 has the capability of restoring motor function.
Minerva Neurosciences said that MIN-301 is functionally identical to its analog (the analog differs from MIN-301 by a single amino acid). Hence, it expects the data from the Primomed study to support further developments of the candidate as a potential treatment of Parkinson's disease among humans.
According to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, approximately 1 million Americans currently suffer from Parkinson’s disease. Moreover, estimates given by the Foundation show males are 1.5 times more prone to the disease than females. Given that nearly 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease every year, there is a definite need for new treatment options in this field.
Meanwhile, Minerva Neurosciences has a number of early-stage candidates in its pipeline of central nervous system therapies. Currently, the company is preparing to initiate phase IIb trials on its lead candidate, MIN-101, for the treatment of schizophrenia. Additionally, the company is studying MIN-202 for the treatment of insomnia.
Minerva Neurosciences carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked socks in the biotech sector are Incyte Corp. (INCY), Regado Biosciences, Inc. (RGDO) and Acceleron Pharma, Inc. (XLRN). While Incyte and Regado carry a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Acceleron holds a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
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