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TIK-301 (LY-156735) is an agonist for the melatonin receptors MT1 and MT2 that is under development for the treatment of insomnia and other sleep disorders. Its agonist action on MT1 and MT2 receptors in the suprachiasmatic nucleus in the brain enables its action as a chronobiotic. It is in the same class of melatonin receptor agonists as ramelteon and tasimelteon.

History & Development
TIK-301 was first developed at Eli Lilly and Co in Indianapolis, IN as LY-156735. In 2002, it was licensed by Phase 2 Discovery for further commercialization and worldwide development as PD-6735. In July 2007, the open Investigational New Drug (IND) was transferred to Tikvah Therapeutics Inc. in Atlanta, GA by Phase II Discovery, where it was renamed to TIK-301. Currently, clinical trials are ongoing there. Because it has been traded and sublicensed by multiple companies, it can referred to by all three names. Mostly recently and commonly, it is referred to as TIK-301.

TIK-301 was in phase II clinical trials in 2002. In 2004, TIK-301 was designated an orphan drug by the FDA. In 2005, TIK-301 was expected to go into phase III trials.

Pharmacodynamics
TIK-301 is a high affinity nonselective MT1/MT2 agonist. Studies show that it is more potent and more effective than melatonin. Its affinity for MT1 is similar to that of melatonin (pKi =10.38, Ki=81pM) and its affinity for MT2 is slightly higher (pKi=10.38, Ki= 42pM). This enantiomer had higher affinity for the binding site compared to the racemic mixture. The MT1/MT2 Ki ratio is 1.9. This slight preference for MT2 receptor is common among melatonin derivatives with chlorine. TIK-301's action on MT1 and MT2 receptors contributes to its sleep-promoting effects because melatonin's effects at these same receptors is linked with maintenance of normal-sleep wake cycle. TIK-301 was shown to be effective at promoting sleep at various doses; there is a positive dose response relationship between dose and reduction in sleep latency. The EC50 of TIK-301 is 0.0479nM, compared to 0.063nM for melatonin. It also works as an antagonist at serotonin receptors 5-HT2B and 5-HT2C.

Pharmacokinetics
TIK-301 is administered orally. Compared to melatonin, it has nine times greater bioavailability and six times greater area under the curve (AUC), which means the body retains more of an administered dose. TIK-301 was detected in blood plasma within 10 to 15 minutes of administration of a single oral dose and remains in a patient's system until 12 hours after the single dose. Plasma concentrations increased rapidly and peaked at 1 hour after the dose, independent of dose size. TIK-301's half-life is about 1 hour. This extended half-life may be partially due to the chlorine in its structure. Elimination constants depended on dose, 20mg dose had a different elimination constant from all other doses above 35mg.

Treatment
TIK-301 is intended to be a take-as-need drug for primary insomnia, circadian rhythm disorders, depression, as well as sleep disorders in blind individuals and can be used to alleviate neuroleptic-induced tardive dyskinesia in schizophrenia patients. In a phase I clinical trial, TIK-301 was shown to be effective as a chronobiotic at a dose of 5mg/L, but not in lower doses. In a phase II trial for insomnia patients experienced objective and subjective improvements in sleep latency at 20mg (31% improvement), 50mg (32%) and 100mg (41%) doses. The sleep latency improvement at the 100mg dose is comparable to FDA approved zolpidem's effects. Surprisingly, it showed no such effects in healthy patients when taken before bed. In a test of phase shifted circadian cycle, TIK-301 showed efficacy in readjusting phase shifts in all physiological systems. While it has been shown to be effective in phase shifting circadian rhythm and reduced sleep latency, it has not been shown to help sleep maintenance, even at doses of 20mg or 200mg. In addition to a sleep aid, TIK-301 has been found useful in treating other disorders. Because of its affinity for serotonin receptors, it has potential to serve as a possible antidepressant drug, similar to agomelatine. TIK-301 has also been considered for use in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) because of sleep disorder prevalence. TIK-301, as well as other melatonin agonists, has been reported to have potential in preventing or treating utinary incontinence, but have not been tested in humans for this purpose. It is also seen as a potential therapeutic agent for spinal cord injury (SCI); in low doses (10mg/kg) it was seen to be benefit in rats after SCI, but in higher doses (100mg/kg), it proved toxic.

Side Effects
There were no major and serious side effects in phase I trials, and mild side effects such as diarrhea, conjunctivitis and laryngitis were observed in few cases. Unlike benzodiazepines sleep medications, TIK-301's novel mode of action at melatonin receptors reduce many common side effects of sleep medications like dependency. In addition, TIK-301 had no latent, morning after psychomotor impairments. A few patients reported cases of somnolence in clinical trials, which is consistent with the drug's soporific effects.

Because of its receptor specific action, there are no associated changes in core body temperatures, heart rate or blood pressure as with other melatonin medications.