Amarin reports Miraxion improves stress hormone transport through blood brain barrier

By Elaine Rigoli

Tampa, Fla., March 7 - Amarin Corp. plc said preclinical data study results demonstrated that Miraxion (ultra-pure ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid) may improve stress hormone (such as cortisol) transport through the blood brain barrier.

Increased plasma levels of cortisol and over-activity of the hypothalamus-pituitary adrenocortical axis (HPA) are considered a cause of melancholic depression. Improved blood brain barrier transport of cortisol may lead to normalization of cortisol levels and of HPA axis activity resulting in an alleviation of the symptoms of melancholic depression, according to a company news release.

Amarin said this effect is related to Miraxion's ability to sensitize glucocorticoid receptor function.

An earlier Canadian study had demonstrated that Miraxion decreased HPA axis over-activity in preclinical models of depression. The findings from this new study, combined with the previous Canadian study, reinforce the potential mechanism of action of Miraxion in melancholic depression, the release said.

Melancholic depression is regarded as the most severe form of the depressive disorders, with limited treatment options for patients. It is more prevalent among hospitalized depression patients than among those in the community.

Amarin estimates the potential global market for melancholic depression to be $2 billion to $4 billion.

"In previous phase 2 human clinical trials, Miraxion has been shown to be effective in treating major depression that was unresponsive to other treatments, in bipolar depression and in depressive symptoms accompanying borderline personality disorder," chief executive officer Rick Stewart said in a company statement.

"Data analysis from previous phase 2 studies also supports Miraxion as a potential treatment for melancholic depression. These data may provide an important link in determining which patients will benefit most from treatment with Miraxion."

London-based Amarin is a neuroscience company that develops drugs for the treatment of central nervous system disorders.

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