Monash biotech spinout develops a new class of drugs to combat depression, the world’s shadow pandemic
In a world where mental health disorders affect one-in-eight people, according to the World Health Organisation, the need for effective treatments is more pressing than ever. Addressing this challenge head-on is Pacalis Therapeutics, an Australian biotech and Monash University spinout.
Pacalis Therapeutics is pioneering the development of next-generation medicines, targeting serotonin signalling in the brain, which plays a crucial role in mood regulation. By combining neuroscience and mental health expertise, high calibre drug discovery capability, and commercialisation, the team is developing a portfolio of best-in-class and first-in-class agents targeting the serotonin (5-HT2A) receptor.
The company’s pedigree and innovative approach has not gone unnoticed. At the recent AusBiotech 2024 conference in Melbourne, Pacalis was honoured with the Early Stage Innovation Forum Award selected by a panel of investors and pharmaceutical industry experts, recognising their groundbreaking work in developing novel small molecule therapeutics for depression, substance and alcohol use disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
The founding of Pacalis, derived from the Latin meaning ‘belonging to peace’, was inspired by significant clinical breakthroughs in treating major depression using psychedelic medicines, such as psilocybin.
Using state-of-the-art approaches to pharmacology and drug discovery, which has led Monash University to be ranked in the top three worldwide for ‘Pharmacy & Pharmacology’ for the past eight years, the team is working towards the development of differentiated medicines that are more effective and carry fewer side effects than current depression treatments.
The Pacalis team is a blend of industry and academic expertise, led by co-founder and Monash university alumnus Dr David Bibby as Chief Executive Officer, and co-founder Professor Chris Langmead, (Director, Neuromedicines Discovery Centre, Monash University) as Chief Scientific Adviser. Pacalis’ other co-founders include Professor Arthur Christopoulos FAA FAHMS (Dean, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University) and the highly regarded pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry veteran, Dr Warwick Tong, as Director and Chair.
David Bibby, CEO, Pacalis Therapeutics Pty Ltd
The group’s aim is to develop a new generation of medicines that address many of the drawbacks associated with the use of current standards of care and investigational psychedelic medicines.
“Current medications for mental health conditions such as depression are based on science that is more than fifty years old, and newer investigational psychedelic agents are promising, but have many limitations. In bringing together the combined expertise of the Pacalis team, the goal is to break this drought by developing new safe and effective medicines for a range of mental health conditions,” said Professor Langmead.
Dr Bibby said “The driving ambition of Pacalis Therapeutics is to identify, optimise and develop differentiated, next-generation medicines for mental health conditions. We are delighted to be working with the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Neuromedicines Discovery Centre, which brings together world-leaders in drug discovery, neuroscience and mental health. Together, the team behind Pacalis is harnessing our combined scientific and business expertise to rapidly progress our discovery and development program, with the ultimate aim to bring new medicines to those who so desperately need them.”