Recently patented agents with possible antipsychotic indication

Abstract

Background: The use of antipsychotic medication for disparate psychiatric and medical disorders has increased rapidly during the past decade. Newer second-generation antipsychotic agents have largely replaced older agents in many regions; nevertheless, most treated individuals remain insufficiently responsive and/or intolerant inviting the need for newer agents with novel mechanisms. Objective/method: Herein, we review the US and Canadian databases regarding recently patented agents (i.e., 2003 – 2008) with putative antipsychotic properties. Additionally, a PubMed review was conducted utilizing the key search term antipsychotic, cross-referenced with: novel, mechanism, psychoses, mania and indication. A manual review of the bibliographies in each of the retrieved articles was also conducted. Conclusion: Hitherto, antagonism of the canonical dopamine D₂ receptor has been the prevailing hypothesis regarding the mechanism of action of all approved antipsychotic agents. During the past 5 years, several newer patented agents have been introduced that exhibit unique pharmacodynamic profiles, for example, D₃/D₄ receptor antagonism, 5-HT2C receptor agonism/partial agonism, selective serotonin re-uptake/α₂-adrenoceptor antagonism and mGlu2/3 receptor agonism. Efforts to refine novel treatments have provided the impetus for testing and patenting agents with novel pharmacodynamic mechanisms.

Keywords::

• antipsychotic
• Canadian Patents Database
• patent
• United States Patent and Trademark Office