London-based biopharmaceutical company Solvonis Therapeutics plc (LSE: SVNS) on Wednesday announced the expansion of its investigational compound SVN-015 into the treatment of depression, supported by preclinical data showing antidepressant-like activity comparable to fluoxetine (Prozac).

SVN-015, a novel Serotonin-Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitor (SDRI), demonstrated efficacy in validated rodent behavioural models after 14-day, once-daily dosing. The compound is designed to target pathways central to mood, motivation and reward processing, supporting potential use in patients with inadequate response to SSRIs, including those experiencing anhedonia and reduced motivation. Development is intended as a once-daily oral therapy suitable for at-home use, aligned with standard antidepressant treatment cycles.

The compound has also been independently selected for evaluation in the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Addiction Treatment Discovery Program for stimulant use disorders, providing non-dilutive validation of its pharmacological profile.

Solvonis Therapeutics is developing small-molecule therapies for high-burden CNS disorders. Lead programmes include SVN-001 in Phase 3 for severe Alcohol Use Disorder and SVN-002 preparing for Phase 2b in moderate-to-severe AUD, alongside preclinical work in PTSD and proprietary CNS discovery programmes. The company leverages a capital-efficient, dual development strategy to advance innovative treatments across addiction, psychiatry and depression.