Suven Life Sciences presented the preclinical data of SUVN 502, its lead 5-HT6 drug candidate, at the 2008 Alzheimer's Association International Conference on Alzheimer's disease (ICAD 2008) in Chicago and Drug Discovery and Development of Innovative Therapeutics in Boston.

According to the company, the results demonstrate that SUVN-502 is effective in models of cognition that are considered predictive of efficacy in Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment. In addition, the data suggests the potential for once-daily oral dosing with a favourable safety and toxicology profile.

"We are extremely pleased with the data emerging from our proprietary 5-HT6 antagonist programme. SUVN 502 produces a robust effect in key models of cognition with a favourable safety and pharmacokinetic profile, providing a strong rationale for clinical development in cognition indication. We commenced phase I clinical trials of SUVN 502 at Basel. The study is expected to be completed by December 2008, stated, Venkat Jasti CEO of Suven Life Sciences

The company stated that the results were presented in two posters titled 'SUVN 5-A Potent, Selective, Brain Penetrant and Orally active 5-HT6 receptor antagonist for the symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer's disease' and 'The 5-HT6 receptor antagonist SUVN-502 enhances Acetylcholine and Glutamate in rat ventral hippocampus and Frontal Cortex-A micro analysis study.'

The company is in discussions for potential licensing partners for this compound. Timing of the licensing would depend on the deal terms and ability to get co-promotion rights in some regulated markets. The company targets launching the molecule in 2012 and aims to be an early launcher in this class. Other molecules in the same category currently under development include GSK's molecule presently in phase II.