SAN2219
Strong seizure control without adverse effect
SAN2219 is a subtype selective Positive Allosteric Modulator (PAM) of GABAA α2- α3- and α5 containing receptors specifically designed to exert robust anti-seizure activity by dampening excessive neuronal activation broadly in the brain.
How SAN2219 works
In contrast to SAN711, where the profile is precisely tailored to abort absence seizures by enhancing the effect of GABAA α3 containing receptors, the profile of SAN2219 is specifically designed to exert broad antiseizure activity by enhancing the effect of GABAA α2 and α5 containing receptors in addition to α3. As there is no enhancement of GABAA α1 subtype containing receptors, the adverse effects mediated by non-selective benzodiazepines are anticipated to be avoided. Saniona believes that this profile would be highly effective in aborting acute repetitive seizures, where seizures break through despite the patient being on maintenance antiseizure medications. Acute repetitive seizures require immediate attention. In the absence of prompt and effective treatment, acute repetitive seizures can evolve into status epilepticus, a potentially life-threatening seizure emergency. Benzodiazepines constitute the standard-of-care for acute on demand repetitive seizures, but the use is restricted to 2 doses per epileptic episode, and it is recommended to treat no more than five episodes per month due to the limitations associated with benzodiazepines including tolerance development.
SAN2219 demonstrates potent and robust effects in a variety of rodent seizure models for epilepsy indications including focal onset seizures, generalized tonic-clonic seizures, and generalized non-motor seizures (absence seizures). Furthermore, SAN2219 is not sedative in standard rodent model assessing sedation. Therefore, SAN2219 is anticipated to arrest acute repetitive seizures without use limitations imposed on benzodiazepines.
SAN2219 STATUS
Saniona’s novel antiepileptic candidate has been selected for preclinical development.