ADELAIDE, Australia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bionomics Limited (ASX: BNO, OTCQB:BNOEF), a global, clinical stage biopharmaceutical company, today announced that a paper describing the pharmacology of BNC375, a novel positive allosteric modulator (PAM) of the alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR), was published online on February 24, 2020 in the peer-reviewed publication Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (JPET).

The paper entitled, Pharmacological characterization of the novel and selective α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor positive allosteric modulator BNC375, is authored by scientists from MSD and Bionomics Limited. It describes the preclinical pharmacology (cellular activity and animal-based efficacy studies) of BNC375, a compound from the Bionomics research program targeting cognitive dysfunction associated with Alzheimer’s disease and other central nervous system conditions, which was licensed to MSD in 2014.

The paper presents data from a comprehensive range of pre-clinical studies performed with BNC375 to explore the potential of this novel molecule to improve cognitive impairment. BNC375 enhanced long-term potentiation, a mechanism thought to underlie memory and learning, and enhanced performance in animal models testing cognition. Furthermore, the data demonstrate the potential for greater safety, selectivity, and broader effective dose range advantages of BNC375, a PAM, versus agonists or partial agonists of the α7 nAChR.

Bionomics Executive Chairman, Dr Errol De Souza said, “Data from our collaboration with MSD on BNC375 targeting cognitive impairment has been published in this peer-reviewed journal. We are encouraged by these pre-clinical findings of the PAM approach to modulation of the α7 receptor for the potential treatment of cognitive impairment in CNS disorders.”

The online publication can be found by copying the following into a web browser, http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/early/2020/02/24/jpet.119.263483

About Bionomics Limited

Bionomics (ASX: BNO) is a global, clinical stage biopharmaceutical company leveraging its proprietary platform technologies to discover and develop a deep pipeline of best in class, novel drug candidates. Bionomics’ lead drug candidate BNC210 is a novel, proprietary negative allosteric modulator of the alpha-7 (α7) nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. Beyond BNC210, Bionomics has a strategic partnership with MSD and a pipeline of pre-clinical ion channel programs targeting pain, depression, cognition and epilepsy.

www.bionomics.com.au

Factors Affecting Future Performance

This announcement contains "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the United States’ Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements contained in this announcement that relate to prospective events or developments, including, without limitation, statements made regarding Bionomics’ drug candidates (including BNC210), its licensing agreements with MSD and any milestone or royalty payments thereunder, drug discovery programs, ongoing and future clinical trials, and timing of the receipt of clinical data for our drug candidates are deemed to be forward-looking statements. Words such as "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "projects," "forecasts," "will" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements, including unexpected safety or efficacy data, unexpected side effects observed in clinical trials, risks related to our available funds or existing funding arrangements, our failure to introduce new drug candidates or platform technologies or obtain regulatory approvals in a timely manner or at all, regulatory changes, inability to protect our intellectual property, risks related to our international operations, our inability to integrate acquired businesses and technologies into our existing business and to our competitive advantage, as well as other factors. Results of studies performed on our drug candidates and competitors’ drugs and drug candidates may vary from those reported when tested in different settings.

Contacts

Mr Jack Moschakis

Legal Counsel & Company Secretary

Bionomics Limited

31 Dalgleish St,

Thebarton, South Australia

+61 8 8354 6100

[email protected]