Solvonis Therapeutics PLC (LSE:SVNS, OTC:SLVNF, FRA:J4I) chief scientific officer, Professor David Nutt, spoke with Proactive's Stephen Gunnion about promising new data from preclinical trials of its lead molecule, SVN-015. The compound has demonstrated comparable performance to fluoxetine (Prozac) in validated rodent models of depression, suggesting potential for clinical success.
Professor Nutt explained that SVN-015 represents a rare dual-action approach, functioning as both a serotonin and dopamine reuptake inhibitor—something pharmaceutical companies have sought unsuccessfully for decades. “This molecule will give you a bit of dopamine,” he said, noting that this could address symptoms that traditional SSRIs fail to treat, such as fatigue, low energy, and anhedonia.
He emphasised the drug’s potential value for patients who don’t fully respond to current antidepressants, which remains a large unmet need. “About 50% of people treated with SSRIs like Prozac don't make a full recovery,” he said. The team at Solvonis sees SVN-015 as a candidate for both treatment-resistant cases and, potentially, as a first-line option, depending on investment and trial outcomes.
Professor Nutt also discussed the advantages of SVN-015’s once-daily oral formulation, contrasting it with more complex emerging therapies like psychedelics or ketamine. The simplicity of oral dosing may improve scalability, cost, and acceptance among payers and patients.
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