TheraCryf plc (AIM: TCF), a clinical-stage drug development company focusing on oncology and neuropsychiatry, announced on Wednesday that it has been awarded a Composition of Matter patent for its Orexin 1 (Ox-1) receptor antagonist by the European Patent Office. The formal patent grant is expected on 18 December 2024.

The Ox-1 antagonist, acquired through TheraCryf's acquisition of Chronos Therapeutics Ltd in April 2024, targets the Orexin 1 receptor in the brain, which has been linked to conditions such as anxiety, addiction, and other mental health disorders. This highly selective compound, currently in the late preclinical stage, could offer potential treatments for these conditions by inhibiting the effects of Orexin on the receptor.

This patent adds to TheraCryf's growing international intellectual property portfolio, which spans oncology and neuropsychiatry. The company is advancing a broad pipeline, including treatments for glioblastoma, neurodevelopmental disorders, addiction, anxiety and narcolepsy. TheraCryf's strategy includes generating strong data sets to partner its clinical programs with mid- to large-sized pharmaceutical companies for larger trials and commercialisation.

TheraCryf is headquartered at Alderley Park, Cheshire, and collaborates with leading universities and hospitals, including the University of Manchester and Kings College London.