TNXP Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corporation

On May 17, 2023, the Company announced the molecular mechanism of action of tianeptine, the active ingredient of TNX-601 ER, currently in Phase 2 clinical development for the treatment of MDD. Based on pharmacology and medicinal chemistry experiments, scientists at the Company have established that tianeptine is an agonist for the nuclear peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (“PPAR”) isoforms PPAR-β/δ and PPAR-γ, and tianeptine’s effects on these PPAR isoforms account for its ability to induce neuroplasticity in cultured neurons. The findings upset a long-held belief that the only way to restore the connectivity of neurons damaged in the state of depression was to increase the synaptic levels or activity of neurotransmitters such as the monoamines serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. The new findings show that selective activation of nuclear PPAR-β/δ and PPAR-γ in neurons and supporting glia appears to be a more direct mechanism to achieve the goal of restoring neuronal connectivity, or neuroplasticity. Drugs that restore neuroplasticity are called plastogens. Consequently, tianeptine is a plastogen that acts directly on nuclear receptors that regulate gene expression in neurons and microglia.

The new research provides clarity on why tianeptine does not cause sexual dysfunction, weight gain, or several other treatment-limiting toxicities associated with traditional antidepressants. Tianeptine treats depression by activating select nuclear PPAR isoforms, and has little to do with monoaminergic neurotransmitters, which are known to be implicated in the most frequently cited side effects of most marketed antidepressants. Key experiments were performed by scientists at the Company’s Research and Development Center in Frederick, Maryland.

In animal models, tianeptine restores neuroplasticity and reverses stress-induced impairments through activation of select nuclear PPAR isoforms without modulating synaptic monoamine neurotransmitters, mimicking naturally occurring polyunsaturated fatty acid in binding to PPARs.

The Company believes that the proposed mechanism is consistent with the clinical effects of tianeptine in promoting cognition in Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and bipolar disorder, and is considering the development TNX-601 ER as a treatment for these and other conditions.

The new findings about tianeptine’s mechanism dispel the notion that tianeptine’s weak µ-opioid receptor activity was central to its mechanism of treating depression and indicate that there is no connection between tianeptine’s neuroplastic effects on cultured neurons and its weak µ-opioid receptor agonism. The Company has identified a new chemical entity related to tianeptine, TNX-4300, that restores neuroplasticity in cultured neurons and is free from µ-opioid receptor activity. The Company intends to submit data supporting tianeptine’s mechanism of action for presentation at upcoming scientific conferences and for publication in peer reviewed journals.

Forward- Looking Statements 

This Current Report on Form 8-K contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, as amended, including those relating to the Company’s product development, clinical trials, clinical and regulatory timelines, market opportunity, competitive position, possible or assumed future results of operations, business strategies, potential growth opportunities and other statement that are predictive in nature. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the industry and markets in which we operate and management’s current beliefs and assumptions.

These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking expressions, including, but not limited to, “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “estimate,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would” and similar expressions and the negatives of those terms. These statements relate to future events or our financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include those set forth in the Company’s filings with the SEC. Prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.