Catalent And Cingulate To Collaborate On ADHD Therapies

Catalent and Cingulate have signed a licensing deal for the development and commercialization of a series of new drugs indicated to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) using Catalent’s manufacturing technology.

CTX-1301 and CTX-1302 are currently undergoing pre-clinical development with Cingulate, and the company hopes to move CTX-1301 into phase 1 clinical trials early next year.

Research in brain imaging finds that children with ADHD show a small maturation delay in the regions of the brain linked to planning, focus, and critical thinking. Traditional therapies include a broad range of stimulants which target these key regions, as well as a range of non-stimulant options.

Further research into these new therapies is expected to yield answers as to how these treatments might differ from existing pharma options in terms of efficacy and possible reduction of side effects. According to the statement released by Catalent, researchers are confident that these new candidates will address unmet needs in current ADHD treatments.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), every case of ADHD is different and therefore, treatment efficacy differs from child to child. Several different medications and doses must be tried before finding a suitable regimen.

Catalent’s optidose manufacturing methods are capable of producing dividable pills with extended release options, opening up many dosing options for prescribers to tailor-make a regimen for patients. This flexibility and variety is particularly important when treating ADHD.

The NIMH reports that these are exciting times in ADHD research due to advances in genetics, brain imaging, and behavioral research.  Two major recent studies, one of which was conducted by the NIMH, have yielded a wealth of findings that are changing the way ADHD is diagnosed and the long-term efficacy and safety of existing pharmacotherapies.

The CDC estimates that five percent of American children have ADHD. Though there is no cure for ADHD, a combination of medicine and behavioral therapy can be quite effective in managing the symptoms.