BioTie Therapies - tackling addiction

BioTie Therapies is focusing its drug discovery activities on dependence disorders, inflammatory diseases and glycobiology. The product that is furthest down the development chain is nalmefene, an opioid receptor antagonist designed to treat dependence disorders, which is in Phase III for alcoholism with the trade-name Soberal, and in Phase II as Cessal for impulse control disorders such as pathological gambling.

Nalmefene targets the mesocorticolimbic reward pathway in the brain. This is one of the most important mediators of alcohol and drug reinforcements, and disturbances in its function are believed to play a central role in substance dependence. The pathway's activity has several modulators, of which opioidergic mechanisms are one of the most important. Nalmefene prevents b-endorphin, which is responsible for pleasurable sensations, from activating opioid receptors. Excessive drinkers with alcoholic heredity show a more pronounced release of b-endorphin after consuming alcohol.

'We are expecting the results of the Phase III trial in the second quarter of this year,' says the company's Juhani Saarinen. 'Unlike current treatments for alcoholism, it does not involve abstinence.' Results from the Phase II trials indicate that the number of heavy drinking days was reduced by 60% in patients with a family history of alcoholism.