TNX-1900
Preclinical
Phase I
Phase II
Phase III
Chronic Migraine
Phase II start — PREVENTION study enrolling
Phase II
TNX-1900, Tonix’s proprietary potentiated intranasal oxytocin is currently being studied as a candidate for prophylaxis of chronic migraine.
Oxytocin is a naturally occurring human hormone that acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain. In clinical and preliminary research, it has been observed that increased oxytocin levels can relieve headaches. When oxytocin is delivered via the nasal route, it results in enhanced binding to receptors on neurons in the trigeminal system, inhibiting transmission of pain signals. Intranasal oxytocin has been well tolerated in several clinical trials in adults and children and has been shown to block calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) release in animals, a pathway known to be critical to the pathogenesis of migraine attacks. TNX-1900 is believed to interrupt pain signals at the trigeminal ganglia by suppressing electrical impulses, a potentially different activity than drugs that just block CGRP.
Migraine attacks are caused, in part, by the release of CGRP from pain-sensing nerve cells that are part of the trigeminal system. Targeted delivery results in low systemic exposure and lower risk of non-nervous system, off-target effects which could potentially occur with systemic CGRP antagonists. For example, CGRP has roles in dilating blood vessels in response to ischemia, including in the heart. Tonix believes targeted delivery of oxytocin could translate into selective blockade of CGRP release in the trigeminal ganglion and not throughout the body, which could be a potential safety advantage over systemic CGRP inhibition. TNX-1900 is also believed to provide augmented analgesia in the treatment of pain, relative to oxytocin.
The patents covering the technology are expected to provide Tonix market exclusivity in the U.S. and Europe through 2031.