We are thrilled to announce a major milestone in our research journey. The manuscript detailing the Phase I clinical trial results for (2R,6R)-Hydroxynorketamine (HNK), a metabolite of ketamine, has just been published. The study, titled “A Phase 1 Assessment of the Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of (2R,6R)-HNK in healthy volunteers,” demonstrates the compound’s excellent tolerability in human subjects. This publication marks a crucial moment in the trajectory of (2R,6R)-HNK, from its initial discovery from the Director of the lab, Dr. Zanos, to its current status in human clinical trials. The successful completion of this Phase I trial represents a key step in translating preclinical findings into potential therapeutic applications, which is among the important aims of our laboratory. Our collaboration with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has been instrumental in advancing this promising compound from bench to bedside.

As this metabolite progresses to Phase II trials for both pain management and major depression treatment, we are optimistic about the potential of this compound to address significant unmet medical needs. This achievement underscores our laboratory’s commitment to innovative neuropharmacological research and its potential to improve patient outcomes.

For more details, please refer to our published manuscript: https://ascpt.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cpt.3391

Stay tuned for further updates as we continue our mission to develop novel therapeutic approaches for neuropsychiatric disorders and other brain diseases.