Irish biotech GH Research has said the phase 2 win for its inhaled depression drug has “paved the way for future commercial success.” The inhaled mebufotenin candidate, dubbed GH001, was evaluated in the midstage study of 81 patients with treatment-resistant depression. The 40 patients who received GH001 saw an average 15.2 point reduction on the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale at Day 8, compared to an increase of 0.3 points among the 41 patients who received placebo. As well as hitting this primary endpoint, GH001 also achieved the study’s secondary endpoints of showing clinically and statistically significant improvements on a clinical-rated tool, a scale of anxiety and quality of life questionnaire, when compared to placebo, the company said. Professor of psychiatry Michael Thase, M.D., said “such a large and rapid effect, particularly one that may require only infrequent, short 1-3 hours clinic visits, has the potential to be a practice-changing treatment,” according to a statement in GH’s Feb. 3 release.

Full report : Irish biotech startup GH Research says the company has concluded successful phase 2 trials for its inhaled depression drug.