Evecxia Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing treatments for central nervous system disorders, has announced the completion of a $5 million funding round. The proceeds from this funding will be used to support a range of activities, including clinical trials, non-clinical research, and manufacturing preparations.
These efforts are aimed at launching a Phase 2 clinical study for the company’s lead drug candidate, EVX-101, which is being developed as an add-on therapy for patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder who have not responded adequately to standard SSRI medications.
EVX-101 is a specially formulated oral tablet that combines 5-hydroxytryptophan, a natural precursor to serotonin, with a low dose of carbidopa, which helps increase the bioavailability of 5-HTP. The goal is to boost serotonin production in the brain in a sustained and controlled way. This approach is based on decades of clinical research suggesting that increasing serotonin synthesis can improve outcomes for patients who don’t respond well to traditional antidepressants.
In addition to EVX-101, Evecxia is also developing EVX-301, an intravenous version of 5-HTP designed to deliver faster results. This second drug candidate is being prepared for a Phase 1 study that will measure its impact on serotonin levels and its main metabolite in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with major depressive disorder who are already taking SSRIs. The study is expected to begin enrolling participants in late 2025, with initial results anticipated in early 2026.
To support these upcoming trials, Evecxia plans to automate its manufacturing processes for EVX-101, scaling them to commercial levels. A small bridging study will follow to confirm how the drug behaves in healthy volunteers before moving into the larger OCD trial.
The funding round was managed by Collage Venture Partners and included participation from existing investors. According to Evecxia’s CEO, Jacob Jacobsen, the company is proud of its progress, including the successful completion of a Phase 1 safety study for EVX-101 and the continued expansion of its patent portfolio. He emphasized the company’s commitment to addressing severe mental health conditions with innovative therapies that target serotonin synthesis in the brain.
With this new funding, Evecxia is well-positioned to advance its clinical programs and expand its focus to other disorders where serotonin plays a key role.
KEY QUOTE:
“We are proud of the progress we are making at Evexcia, including the successful completion of our EVX-101 Phase 1 safety study and the continuous strengthening of our intellectual property position/patent portfolio. We are committed to accelerating and maximizing the value of our leadership in brain Serotonin Synthesis Amplification by focusing on CNS indications for which there is a strong clinical and pharmacological rationale and important unmet needs. We look forward to initiating our EVX-101 Phase 2 program in OCD in 2026, and to subsequently expand into other indications, including MDD.”
Jacob Jacobsen, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Evecxia Therapeutics
