MediciNova Reports Positive Results In Phase 2 Trial Of MN-166 In Alcohol Use Disorder - Quick Facts

(RTTNews) - Biopharmaceutical company MediciNova, Inc. (MNOV) announced Monday positive results from a Phase 2 trial of MN-166 (ibudilast) in alcohol use disorder (AUD).

This study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 trial to evaluate the effect of 14 days of ibudilast treatment on mood, heavy drinking, and neural reward signals in individuals with AUD. A total of 52 AUD patients were enrolled in this trial.

MN-166 (ibudilast) is a small molecule compound that inhibits phosphodiesterase type-4 (PDE4) and inflammatory cytokines, including macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF).

According to the study, Ibudilast, relative to placebo, reduced the odds of heavy drinking across time by 45%. Ibudilast also reduced alcohol craving compared to placebo on non-drinking days. Ibudilast attenuated alcohol cue-elicited activation in the ventral striatum (VS) compared to placebo.

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a prevalent and disabling psychiatric disorder with limited treatment options. AUD is a chronic relapsing brain disease characterized by compulsive alcohol use, loss of control over alcohol intake, and a negative emotional state when not using alcohol.