MDD is the third most common cause of disability worldwide, and leaves patients to suffer from an exasperated state of helplessness, grief, and increased suicidality. The cause of MDD is not fully understood but has centered around disruption of the monoaminergic system (e.g., serotonin and norepinephrine activity). Approved drugs that enhance monoaminergic signaling in the brain have shown beneficial effects in MDD, but many patients continue to suffer from an inadequate response to treatment that sustains their depressive symptoms and disability. ABX-002, is a potent and selective, brain-boosting TRβ agonist that is anticipated to enhance serotonin activity in the brain in MDD patients. ABX-002 is expected to augment antidepressant treatments by potentiating the beneficial effects of these drugs on monoaminergic signaling.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive autoimmune disease characterized by immune attack on myelin, the protective covering on neurons. Damage to myelin disrupts the effective transmission of nerve signals and can lead to permanent damage to neurons.

ABX-002 is a potent and selective TRβ agonist with enhanced central versus peripheral distribution.  Human genetics unambiguously links thyroid hormone signaling to myelination, and the ability of thyroid hormone to promote remyelination is well established.  ABX-002 promotes the differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) into mature oligodendrocytes. These cells regenerate myelin to protect demyelinated neurons and restore neural conduction velocity to halt and potentially reverse the progressive course of MS.  We are developing ABX-002 for use in combination with standard-of-care immunosuppressive therapies.