News: Bionomics Limited starts clinical trial of anxiety and depression treatment

Bionomics Limited (ASX: BNO, OTCQX: BNOEF) has initiated a Phase II clinical study of BNC210, its drug candidate in development for the treatment of anxiety and depression.

The study will use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to assess the effects of BNC210 on brain activity in patients suffering from anxiety.   

The double-blinded, placebo and lorazepam-controlled, four-way crossover single-centre Phase II study will be conducted in 24 patients with untreated Generalised Anxiety Disorder.

Patients will be randomized to receive one of two doses of BNC210 (300mg or 2000mg) or one of two controls, placebo or 1.5mg Lorazepam.

The study will evaluate the capacity of BNC210 to engage brain systems relevant to anxiety.

Endpoints include both significant changes in cerebral perfusion and in task-related brain activity using the emotional faces task during fMRI.

The clinical phase of the study is expected to be completed by Q2 2016 with results due in Q3 2016.

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