Enveric’s experimental drug shows promise in PTSD preclinical study

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - Enveric Biosciences (NASDAQ:ENVB), a micro-cap biotech company with a market capitalization of $3.31 million, reported Tuesday that its experimental drug EB-003 demonstrated positive results in a preclinical model for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), showing significant reduction in fear responses in mice after a single dose. According to InvestingPro analysis, the company appears undervalued despite its stock declining over 83% in the past year.

In the study, oral administration of EB-003 decreased context-induced freezing behavior in fear-conditioned mice when measured one hour after dosing. The company stated these results were comparable to effects seen with MDMA, which was used as a positive control in the study. MDMA has shown clinical benefit in human PTSD trials but remains unapproved by the FDA.

The preclinical testing was conducted by a third-party laboratory using a Pavlovian association paradigm, where mice develop trauma-related fear responses after pairing electrical shocks with a specific environment.

"Only 20% to 30% of PTSD patients experience full remission with [current FDA-approved drugs] and it takes two to three weeks of SSRI administration before clinical and neuronal benefits become apparent," said Joseph Tucker, CEO and Director of Enveric, in the press release.

The company describes EB-003 as a "next-generation neuroplastogen" designed to enhance hippocampal neuroplasticity without causing hallucinations, potentially offering advantages over existing treatments.

Currently, only a few medications have FDA approval for PTSD treatment, including the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) paroxetine and sertraline.

Enveric is developing EB-003 through its proprietary Psybrary platform, which focuses on developing novel small-molecule therapeutics for psychiatric and neurological disorders. The company aims to advance EB-003 toward clinical trials for neuropsychiatric disorders.

In other recent news, Enveric Biosciences has announced significant preclinical findings for its leading drug candidate, EB-003. The compound showed promising results in a depression model, demonstrating efficacy comparable to established antidepressants in mice. Additionally, Enveric has secured a U.S. patent for novel compounds targeting sleep and central nervous system disorders, which could enhance their strategic position in the market. The company also announced a provisional patent filing for new molecules with potential applications in neurodegenerative diseases, focusing on enhancing brain-derived neurotrophic factor activity. These developments highlight Enveric’s ongoing efforts to expand its intellectual property portfolio and advance its drug candidates toward clinical trials. The company continues to explore opportunities for its proprietary EVM301 Series, including out-licensing. Enveric’s recent announcements underscore its commitment to developing novel therapeutics for psychiatric and neurological disorders.

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