Healx secures option to license rights from Ovid to develop gaboxadol

Healx, an AI-powered, technology company involved in the next generation of drug discovery, has secured an exclusive option to license rights to develop and commercialize gaboxadol from biopharmaceutical company Ovid Therapeutics.

As per the agreement, Healx intends to investigate the compound as part of a potential combination therapy for Fragile X syndrome and treatment for other indications.

Fragile X syndrome impacts around 1 in 4,000 males and 1 in 8,000 females. It creates a range of developmental problems including cognitive impairment, and behavioural problems.

Earlier, gaboxadol has been tested as a monotherapy for Fragile X syndrome in a Phase 2a clinical trial by Ovid.

Now, Healx intends to find an optimal treatment for the syndrome by combining gaboxadol and other compounds.

These compounds include HLX-0201 that has been identified by its AI platform Healnet.

In addition to the initial focus on Fragile X syndrome, Healx intends to use its indication expansion technology to identify other conditions that could also be treated by gaboxadol.

Ovid Therapeutics chairman and CEO Jeremy Levin said: “Gaboxadol shows encouraging activity and a good safety profile in a range of conditions.  We are keen to see its clinical value unlocked.