Bladerunner, Concerning Org-24448, in the Montreal Conf presentation Dr. Stoll said that it's in Phase 2b in Schizo and Phase 2a in Depression (the monotherapy Schizo Phase 2 was completed around a year ago, with the results apparently to be published fairly soon). The other compound, Org-26576, I think might be in Phase 1, though we don't know the origin of that compound for sure, whether it was Cortex-developed or from Organon's own labs. Based on a published preclinical paper, Org-26576 looked to be somewhat more potent than Org-24448 (based on the doses used).
I'm not expecting great things from the Org-24448 Schizo mono trial, but some cognitive improvement was probably observed. Ampakines likely have a better chance as a combo treatment for Schizo, and it appears that the TURNS/NIMH combo program is back on track, though results probably won't be for several years.
Org-24448 is less potent overall than CX-717, though it's possible that its activity in animal models of Schizo might have been particularly favorable, so we can't assume that it would necessarily be less potent than CX-717 for Schizo. It does have a shorter halflife though (approx 6.5 hours vrs 9-10 hours for CX-717).
Some good Schizo monotherapy results would certainly be a shot in the arm for Cortex right about now. Organon was supposed to be partially spun off from parent Akzo, and the publishing of good Schizo results for Org-24448 might have provided some added publicity prior to the IPO. But with Asenapine in limbo, the Organon IPO might also be in limbo. Still, it will be interesting to see the monotherapy results. One would think that they wouldn't bother publishing bad results, so with luck the results might surprise on the upside.
One trial with the potential to create a real buzz would be combining a low impact with Aricept for AD, since there appears to be a strong synergistic effect between the two. That type trial will probably be up to the Neurodegenerative BP partner to do. The synergism between Ampakines and the ACHase inhibitors is a good selling point for getting the BP deal. It's become increasingly clear that the huge resources of a bonafide BP partner is going to be the key to finally getting things moving for this technology. We need a motivated big name BP partner. That would also get the stock moving.
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