Vanda Pharmaceuticals has reported data from a Phase II clinical trial of VQW-765 for the treatment of acute performance anxiety.
The placebo-controlled, randomised, multicentre, double-blind study (Study 2201) has been designed for assessing VQW-765’s efficacy and safety in performance anxiety patients.
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In the study, 230 participants with previous performance anxiety history were randomised and given a single VQW-765 dose or a placebo and challenged with the standardised Trier Social Stress Test (TSST).
The TSST induces stress by requiring participants to make an interview-style presentation before an interview panel.
Findings showed that the participants who were given VQW-765 demonstrated less stress levels compared to the placebo-treated group.
The company stated that specifically female participants of the trial, nearly 70% of the total participants, had statistically significant responses to VQW-765.
They reported a higher stress reaction, as well as a higher prevalence of performance anxiety, as compared to male participants.
Vanda noted that a significant relationship was also observed between exposure to VQW-765 and the clinical response.
A new small molecule alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7-nAChR) partial agonist, VQW-765 binds and improves the activity of one type of nicotinic receptor that is composed of a pentameric assembly of the alpha 7 subtype.
The company claimed that VQW-765 is first that has shown efficacy in a clinical study of performance anxiety.
It also noted that the significant relationship between the exposure and clinical outcome observed in the Study 2201 further supports the hypothesis that the therapy may be effective for the treatment of performance anxiety.
