Anavex Life Sciences Corp (AVXL)

[falconer66a]

Anavex 1066 binds to sigma-1 and -2 receptors

What is the MOA [mechanism of action] for 1066?

Very good question. I wasn’t sure myself, so I checked the Anavex webpage on the molecule (posted 5 years ago):
http://www.anavex.com/wp-content/uploads/AV-1066-poster-November-2016.pdf

First, “ANAVEX 1066, a mixed Sigma-1 / Sigma-2 receptor ligand....” It does bind to both sigma-1 and sigma-2 receptors. But what it precisely does after that is not being stated: “The precise mechanism of action for the analgesia produced by mixed Sigma-1/Sigma-2 receptor ligands is in the process of being further elucidated. Currently, converging evidence suggests that the mechanism may involve a modulatory action on NMDA receptors (Kim et al., 2008), a subtype of glutamate receptor known to transmit pain information.”

If Anavex knows more exactly how the drug induces analgesia (kills pain), it is not being revealed. I doubt that anyone knows the precise analgesic mechanisms of the drug just yet.

That ignorance, however, will not prevent the drug from being approved, once validating human trials are completed. For FDA approval, a new drug must a) show therapeutic efficacy, equal or better than any existing drug, and b) produce minimal adverse events (side effects).