Ulotaront is a novel compound being developed for the treatment of schizophrenia by Sunovion Pharmaceuticals. Unlike all available antipsychotics, it does not block D2 or 5-HT2A-receptors. Its exact mode of action is still unclear but is likely to reflect its activity as a full and partial agonist at trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) and 5-HT1A receptors, respectively.
A recent publication in Drug and Alcohol Dependence describes the results of a program of non-clinical studies designed to assess the abuse potential of this new drug and to explore its efficacy in behavioural models of substance abuse. Full details of the article are:
Syan C, Bowen C, Heal DJ, Froger-Colléaux C, Beardsley PM, Dedic N, Hopkins SC, Campbell U, Koblan KS. Ulotaront, a novel TAAR1 agonist with 5-HT1A agonist activity, lacks abuse liability and attenuates cocaine cue-induced relapse in rats. Drug and Alcohol Dependence Volume 231, 1 February 2022, 109261.
You can read the full article here
DevelRx contributed to this research and one of our Directors, David Heal, is co-author of the paper.
If you would like to know more about the non-clinical models used to evaluate the abuse potential of centrally-acting drugs with novel modes of action please contact us.