Intra-Cellular Therapies Presents Data on Its Schizophrenia and Cognition in Schizophrenia Programs at the 14th Biennial Winter Workshop on Schizophrenia and Bipolar...( NEW YORK Feb. 15 /- Intra-Cellula...),Health

NEW YORK, Feb. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Intra-Cellular Therapies, Inc. (ITI), announced the presentation of preclinical data on ITI-007, its first-in-class dual 5HT2A receptor antagonist/dopamine receptor phosphoprotein modulator (DPPM) for the treatment of schizophrenia, and ITI-002, ITI's family of compounds that inhibit a novel intracellular target for the treatment of cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia. Data characterizing the pharmacological profile of these drug candidates were highlighted in an oral presentation given last week at the 14th Biennial Winter Workshop on Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorders. ITI-007 is currently in Phase I clinical trials for the treatment of schizophrenia.

"We believe the novel pharmacological properties of ITI-007 may provide new treatment alternatives with significant safety and patient compliance-related advantages over currently available therapies for the treatment of schizophrenia," said Sharon Mates, Ph.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Intra-Cellular Therapies. "In addition, we are developing ITI-002 to treat cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia which remains an important quality of life issue for individuals with schizophrenia and is not addressed by current medications."

ITI-007 Study Results

In vitro, ITI-007 was shown to be a potent, sub-nanomolar, antagonist at 5HT2A receptors with a 60-fold higher affinity for 5HT2A receptors over D2 receptors. In vivo, ITI-007 produced an intracellular protein phosphorylation pattern consistent with the activity of a partial agonist at pre-synaptic D2 receptors. This pre-synaptic partial agonist activity preserves normal dopamine metabolism rather than causing a dramatic increase as seen with other antipsychotic therapies. Behaviorally, ITI-007 inhibited serotonin induced head twitches. Additionally, ITI-007 was shown to have an affinity for the serotonin reuptake site, an activity that potentially may be beneficial in treating affective disord
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