Ceri H. Davies

GlaxoSmithKline, Italy

Abstract

[027] Recent advances in developing neuropeptide receptor ligands to treat psychiatric diseases

Neuropeptide neurotransmitter systems (e.g., neurokinins, CRF, orexin) are widely distributed throughout the central nervous system and as such have been implicated in numerous physiological functions and disease states such as pain, depression, schizophrenia, sleep and eating disorders. As a result extensive efforts have been made by the pharmaceutical industry to identify small molecule ligands that selectively manipulate the function of the G-protein linked receptors activated by neuropeptides. The aim of this presentation is to provide an overview of the challenges that have been encountered in developing highly CNS penetrant, potent and selective drugs that manipulate neuropeptide receptors in psychiatric disease. Particular attention will be paid to the preclinical evaluation of neuropeptides involved in anxiety- and depression-related responses and translation through to the clinic.

Biography

Professor Davies graduated from the University of Bristol with a first class honours degree and PhD in pharmacology and ran an independent academic laboratory at the University of Edinburgh before leaving academia in 1998 to join the pharmaceutical industry at Organon Laboratories, Scotland and subsequently GlaxoSmithKline at Harlow and Verona. During his pharmaceutical career he has led a number of research programmes at both preclinical and clinical phases for both psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. He has published over 75 full papers in peer reviewed scientific journals and has been awarded AJ Clark Scholarship and Novartis Prizes by the British Pharmacological Society in recognition of his pharmacological expertise.