San Diego-based BrainCells is moving its lead program into a Phase IIa trial after boosting its second venture round with a second tranche. The new money brings its second round to $50 million. BrainCells says it's developing compounds that promote the growth of new neurons for CNS diseases. Its lead product candidate, BCI-540, is designed to treat patients suffering from depression with anxiety.
"Current therapies directly impact serotonin levels causing many unpleasant side effects, however we have shown that BCI-540 directly impacts neurogenesis without affecting serotonin levels," says Carrolee Barlow, M.D., Ph.D., the CSI at BCI.
- check out the press release