Relmada Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: RLMD), a late-stage biotechnology company addressing diseases of the central nervous system (CNS), today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track designation to REL-1017, the Company’s novel NMDA receptor (NMDAR) channel blocker, as a monotherapy for the treatment major depressive disorder (MDD).
“The receipt of Fast Track Designation represents a significant milestone for our promising late-stage REL-1017 development program,” “This designation further supports the potential of REL-1017 as a paradigm shifting novel stand-alone treatment for MDD and highlights the significant unmet medical need in a therapeutic area where little has changed over the last several decades: available treatments remain inadequate for the majority of patients with MDD. We thank the FDA for this designation and we will continue to work closely with the Agency to bring this much needed potential new therapy to patients as expeditiously as possible”.
Paolo Manfredi, our Chief Scientific Officer
The FDA’s Fast Track designation is designed to facilitate the development and expedite the review of drugs to treat serious conditions and fill an unmet medical need. To qualify, a fast track drug must show some advantage over current therapy, such as superior effectiveness, effect on serious outcomes or improved effect on serious outcomes, and avoiding serious side effects of an available therapy. A Fast Track designation allows for more frequent meetings with the FDA to discuss the drug’s development plan and the design of the proposed clinical trial to ensure collection of appropriate data needed to support drug approval. In addition, a drug that receives Fast Track designation is eligible for Accelerated Approval and Priority Review, if relevant criteria are met, as well as Rolling Review, which enables a drug company to submit portions of the New Drug Application to the FDA as they are completed.
Relmada’s late-stage development program for REL-1017 includes Reliance III, an ongoing monotherapy registrational Phase 3 trial. In addition, Reliance I and Reliance II are two ongoing Phase 3 sister two-arm, placebo-controlled, pivotal studies evaluating REL-1017 as a potential adjunctive treatment for MDD. The Reliance development program also includes Reliance-OLS, the long-term open-label safety study that is enrolling rollover participants from all three pivotal studies, as well as de novo participants.
About REL-1017
REL-1017, a new chemical entity (NCE) and novel NMDA receptor (NMDAR) channel blocker that preferentially targets hyperactive channels while maintaining physiological glutamatergic neurotransmission, is currently in late-stage development for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). The ongoing Reliance Clinical Research Program is designed to evaluate the potential for REL-1017 as a rapid-acting, oral, once-daily antidepressant treatment. In a Phase 2 trial, REL-1017 demonstrated rapid, robust, and sustained antidepressant effects with statistically significant improvements compared to placebo. The Phase 2 study also showed a favorable pharmacokinetic, safety, and tolerability profile of REL-1017 consistent with results observed in previously completed Phase 1 studies.
About Relmada Therapeutics, Inc.
Relmada Therapeutics is a late-stage biotechnology company addressing diseases of the central nervous system (CNS), with focus on major depressive disorder (MDD). Relmada’s experienced and dedicated team is committed to making a difference in the lives of patients and their families. Relmada’s lead program, REL-1017, is a new chemical entity (NCE) and novel NMDA receptor (NMDAR) channel blocker that preferentially targets hyperactive channels while maintaining physiological glutamatergic neurotransmission. REL-1017 has entered late-stage development as an adjunctive and monotherapy treatment for MDD in adults. In addition, Relmada is advancing a clinical-stage program in neurodegenerative diseases based on psilocybin and select derivative molecules. Learn more at www.relmada.com.