Delix Therapeutics, a clinical-stage neuroscience company developing novel disease-modifying therapeutics for psychiatric and neurological conditions by targeting neuroplasticity, today announced it has been awarded a $825,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), to support the advancement of a neuroplastogen for hearing loss treatment.

Delix is pursuing the use of a novel, first-in-class, non-toxic, neuroplastogen that has been found to repair cochlear synaptopathy, or loss of synapses, that contribute to hidden hearing loss (HHL). One of the predominant mechanisms responsible for HHL is the loss of connections between hair cells and auditory nerve fibers, which results in a deficit of signaling from the inner ear to the central nervous system (CNS). Preliminary data has demonstrated that Delix’s compound can safely and effectively repair and restore cochlear neuronal synapses. By repairing these lost connections, there is promise to reverse auditory deficits, as well as prevent loss of hair cells and permanent hearing loss.

“Our understanding of the root causes of hearing loss has advanced significantly and we have observed that when damaged synaptic connections within inner hair cells are restored through rapid neuroplasticity, hearing loss can potentially be reversed,” said Delix Chief Scientific Officer, Kurt Rasmussen, PhD. “There are unfortunately no FDA-approved therapies for hearing restoration in adults and, with this important funding, we look forward to advancing a promising neuroplastogen and exploring its potential further in this indication.”

The grant will support further evaluation of optimal neuroplastogen dosing in various models of hearing loss, including both temporary and permanent, and observe the role synapses play in functional recovery of hearing after damage.

"Over 48 million Americans suffer from hearing loss in at least one ear, with particular prevalence among active duty and retired military personnel. Not only does hearing loss have a significant impact on a patient’s quality of life, but it has been associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline and neurodegeneration,” said Delix CEO Mark Rus. “We are grateful for the DOD's support, as we work to identify and develop non-hallucinogenic neuroplastogens from our neuroplasticity platform to treat a variety of neurological disorders, in the CNS and beyond, including hearing loss, harnessing the body’s ability to repair and restore itself at the level of synapses."

Delix is rapidly advancing its library of thousands of novel compounds into scalable, orally bioavailable, take-home therapies. The Company recently presented additional data from its ongoing Phase 1 trial evaluating the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic profiles of lead candidate and novel neuroplastogen, DLX-001, at the Society of Biological Psychiatry (SOBP) Annual Meeting and the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology (ASCP) Annual Meeting. Delix compounds have demonstrated the ability to promote fast-acting and long-lasting neural circuitry repair of synapses associated with neuropsychological and neurodegenerative conditions, without the costly in-clinic care, safety issues, and abuse potential inherent to first- and second-generation neural plasticity-promoting compounds such as LSD, ketamine, psilocybin, and MDMA.

About Neuroplastogens

Neuroplastogens are a novel class of potentially disease-modifying therapeutics for psychiatric and neurological conditions. These compounds promote rapid and sustained neuroplasticity in select neural circuits resulting in fast-acting therapeutic effects. Neuroplastogens are novel chemical entities inspired by compounds that are proving to be beneficial across a range of therapeutic areas including mood, anxiety, cognitive, and neurodegenerative disorders in addition to other synaptopathies. Leveraging our phenotypic drug discovery engine to generate distinct compounds, Delix seeks to bring to market a pipeline of neuroplastogens that will be the faster, stronger, and more effective therapies of the future.

About Delix Therapeutics

Delix Therapeutics is a clinical-stage neuroscience company focused on harnessing the power of novel neuroplasticity-promoting therapeutics to better treat patients struggling with difficult-to-treat neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders. The company's compounds are easily manufactured small molecules capable of rapidly inducing structural and functional neural changes in targeted areas of the brain. Through its novel Neuroplastogen Platform, Delix is pioneering a new class of fast-acting outpatient pharmacotherapies and rapidly advancing through preclinical and clinical development to bring patients FDA-approved, take-home medicines that will serve several unmet needs and enhance the psychiatric treatment paradigm for patients and providers.

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