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molecules of the month

TAK-418

brain-penetrant LSD1 inh. for neuro. disorders

sociability improvement in vivo, completed Ph. I in HV

tranylcypromine class mechanism-based inh.

Sci. Adv., Mar. 12, 2021

Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Fujisawa, JP

Structure of TAK-418 (Takeda lysine-specific demethylase 1 inhibitor)
1 min read

The Takeda lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) inhibitor (TAK-418) is an oral CNS-penetrant clinical candidate for neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder. We previously highlighted irreversible and reversible LSD1 inhibitors intended to treat cancer. This tranylcypromine-derived clinical candidate is interesting because it is a relatively rare example of a mechanism-based CNS-acting drug. Oral administration of TAK-418 at only 1 mg/kg normalized mRNA expression in neurodevelopmental disorder model rodents and improved sociability. The proposed mechanism of action for neurodevelopmental disorders (restoring gene expression homeostasis by inhibiting a stabilizer of faulty epigenetic machinery) will be interesting to watch.


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