CAMBRIDGE, Mass.– Enveric Biosciences (NASDAQ: ENVB) announced new preclinical data that broadens the clinical promise of its lead compound, EB-003, revealing that the drug candidate also activates the serotonin receptor 5-HT1B — a well-established target for several major neurological and psychiatric disorders.
EB-003 had previously been identified as a partial agonist of the 5-HT2A receptor, a key player in promoting neuroplasticity without the hallucinogenic effects typically associated with psychedelic compounds. The new data shows that EB-003 also acts as an agonist at the 5-HT1B receptor with an EC50 of 110 nanomolar, offering an expanded mechanism of action that could support its use across a broader range of central nervous system (CNS) conditions.
“The 5-HT1B receptor is a validated target for multiple CNS indications, including major depressive disorder, Parkinson’s disease, migraines, and cluster headaches,” said Dr. Joseph Tucker, CEO of Enveric. “Its expression in regions like the frontal cortex, hippocampus, and basal ganglia adds further weight to EB-003’s therapeutic relevance.”
The company previously disclosed that EB-003 demonstrated favorable pharmacology and safety in early-stage studies, including oral bioavailability and effective brain penetration in rodent models. These latest findings add another layer of therapeutic potential, positioning EB-003 as a multi-receptor compound with possible applications across psychiatric and neurological disorders.
Currently in preclinical development, EB-003 is undergoing IND-enabling activities, which are expected to continue through 2025. Enveric plans to leverage the compound’s broadened receptor profile to identify and pursue new therapeutic targets, aiming to refine and expand its clinical development strategy.
“With this new insight into 5-HT1B engagement, we’re gaining a clearer picture of how EB-003 can address unmet needs in the CNS space,” Tucker added. “This multidimensional mechanism of action distinguishes EB-003 and supports our mission to deliver novel, effective treatments for complex brain disorders.”
Enveric’s drug development pipeline centers on neuroplastogenic small molecules designed to reshape neural pathways without hallucinogenic side effects — a promising frontier in treating depression, anxiety, and other chronic CNS conditions.
