Bipolar Disorder Daily News Blog

New Drug Being Tested For Treating Mania in Bipolar Patients

Memory Pharmaceuticals and The Stanley Medical Research Institute (SMRI) began phase 2a of testing their new drug MEM 1003. The drug is a calcium channel blocker and will be used to treat acute mania in those suffering from bipolar disorder.

“MEM 1003 is a neuronal L-type calcium channel modulator that Memory Pharmaceuticals is developing for the treatment of Alzheimer disease and bipolar disorder. By blocking L-type calcium channels, MEM 1003 may regulate the flow of calcium and re-establish normal levels of calcium, which may correct or prevent the severe mood swings that characterize bipolar disorder.”

This study will be a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trail, in hopes of evaluating not only the safety, but the effectiveness of the new drug. The study consists of about 60 participants from the US. Each subject will either receive escalating doses of MEM 1003 or a placebo for 21 days. After the 21 day treatment, manic symptoms will then be determined using the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS).

This clinical trial is the first large-scale controlled study of a calcium channel blocker in bipolar disorder and is also an important milestone for Memory Pharmaceuticals, as we expand our clinical experience with MEM 1003 and explore the potential of this promising compound in this indication," said Stephen R. Murray, M.D., Ph.D., Vice President of Clinical Development. "In clinical practice, other calcium channel modulators have shown promise in the treatment of bipolar disorder, but the blood pressure lowering effects of these drugs have limited further development. We believe that MEM 1003 has been optimized for central nervous system activity and has the potential to improve the mood swings characterized by this disorder at doses below those that will lower blood pressure. We look forward to completing this trial in the first half of 2007."

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"Memory Pharmaceuticals Initiates Phase 2a Trial of MEM 1003 in Bipolar Disorder" Memory Pharmaceuticals Sept 5 2006