Boehringer Ingelheim and The Lieber Institute for Brain Development to Collaborate to Develop Centrally Acting COMT Inhibitors for Treatment of Neuropsychiatric Disorders
16.3.2021 16:00:00 EET | Business Wire | Press release
Boehringer Ingelheim and the Lieber Institute for Brain Development (LIBD) today announced a joint research and licensing collaboration focused on the development of novel centrally acting COMT (catechol-O-methyltransferase) inhibitors for the potential treatment of cognitive deficits in a spectrum of neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia. Aligning with a circuitry-based approach to precision psychiatry, the collaboration will leverage Boehringer Ingelheim’s deep experience in central nervous system (CNS) drug discovery and development alongside Lieber’s expertise in centrally acting COMT inhibitors. Ultimately, the partnership will focus on advancing novel COMT inhibitor candidates into the clinic.
“Psychiatric disorders including cognitive impairment in schizophrenia have historically been difficult indications to treat and continue to remain areas of high unmet need. This collaboration with the Lieber Institute further expands our innovative neuropsychiatric research program, a key focus area at Boehringer Ingelheim, with a first-in-class mechanism that may have the potential to address these symptoms,” said Dr. Hugh Marston, Ph.D., Head of Department CNS Diseases Research at Boehringer Ingelheim. “By combining our expertise, we hope to make significant steps forward to finding solutions for patients for which there currently is no treatment.”
COMT, a dopamine metabolizing enzyme, is key to the modulation of dopamine in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of the brain. Adequate function of dopamine signaling is critical for a number of cognitive and behavioral processes that are impaired in a variety of neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders such as schizophrenia. While peripherally acting COMT inhibitors are currently used as an adjunctive therapy in the treatment of neurological conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, this new collaboration is investigating centrally acting COMT inhibitors in neuropsychiatric disorders.
Recent studies from the Lieber Institute suggest an important role of centrally acting COMT inhibitors in the potential symptomatic treatment of various neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. The potential of centrally acting COMT inhibitors has not yet been evaluated in the clinic due to the unavailability of such compounds. In partnering with the Lieber Institute, Boehringer Ingelheim has in-licensed preclinical pipeline candidates, representing a first-in-class approach for targets in neuropsychiatric disorders.
“The Lieber Institute has a long-standing effort exploring centrally acting COMT inhibitors as part of its mission to understand the genetic and molecular mechanisms of schizophrenia and related brain disorders,” said Daniel R. Weinberger, M.D., LIBD CEO & Director. “We are excited to embark on this partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim to identify potential therapeutic candidates and advance them to clinical development in order to help improve the lives of those affected by this serious mental health condition.”
Financial details of the collaboration were not disclosed.
Please click on the following link for ‘Notes to Editors’:
http://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/press-release/collaboration-libd
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210316005641/en/
Contact information
Media Contacts
Sarah Soetbeer
Boehringer Ingelheim Corporate Center GmbH
Media + PR
P: +49 6132 77 183874
press@boehringer-ingelheim.com
Linda Ruckel
Associate Director, Media and Corporate Reputation
Boehringer Ingelheim U.S.
Media + PR
P: +1 203-791-6672
press@boehringer-ingelheim.com
Jean DuBose
Lieber Institute for Brian Development
media@libd.org
P: +1 443-676-4363
About Business Wire
For more than 50 years, Business Wire has been the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure.
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Incyte to Highlight Late-Breaking Hidradenitis Suppurativa Data at the 2026 American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting20.3.2026 16:00:00 EET | Press release
Incyte (Nasdaq:INCY) today announced that data from key programs in its Inflammation and Autoimmunity (IAI) franchise will be presented at the 2026 American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting, to be held March 27 – 31, 2026, in Denver. “At AAD 2026, we are presenting late‑breaking 54-week results from the Phase 3 STOP‑HS program evaluating povorcitinib in hidradenitis suppurativa (HS),” said Jim Lee, M.D., Ph.D., Group Vice President, Inflammation and Autoimmunity, Incyte. “These data provide longer term evidence of the safety and efficacy of povorcitinib in HS patients and further strengthen the significant growth potential of our Inflammation and Autoimmunity franchise.” Details on key data presentations at AAD include: Late-Breaking Oral Presentations Hidradenitis Suppurativa Povorcitinib in Patients With Moderate to Severe Hidradenitis Suppurativa: 54-Week Efficacy and Safety Results From the STOP-HS1 & STOP-HS2 Phase 3 Studies (Session: S034 – Late-Breaking Research: Sess
MUSASHI JAPAN by TAIMATSU Launches “Road to Shogun” – A Journey Through Craftsmanship and Discovery20.3.2026 14:58:00 EET | Press release
Musashi Japan by TAIMATSU Co., Ltd., a contemporary Japanese knife brand rooted in the spirit of craftsmanship and cultural harmony, has announced its newest experiential campaign: “Road to Shogun.” This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260320887471/en/ Designed as the brand’s most ambitious customer journey to date, the campaign invites visitors to explore participating Musashi Japan stores while discovering the traditions, culture and craftsmanship that inspire the brand. Inspired by the journey towards mastery, the experience encourages participants to progress through a series of ranks whilst visiting stores and unlocking rewards that celebrate elements of everyday Japanese culture. At Musashi Japan, craftsmanship is not only about the final product, but also about the path taken to achieve mastery. The Road to Shogun reflects this philosophy by guiding customers through a journey that mirrors the dedication, cu
Futur Delivers Strong Growth and Record Profit in 202520.3.2026 13:05:00 EET | Press release
"2025 was a record year for Futur. In a market characterized by sharp market fluctuations, Futur continued to invest, grow and deliver strong results. Behind this record performance is stable customer growth, strong inflows and cost discipline. Our close cooperation with over 60 partners gives customers the freedom to choose the asset management and advisory services that best suit them. The strategy of letting the customer choose is appreciated, which is reflected in us welcoming more than 21,000 new customers during the year", says Torgny Johansson, CEO of Futur. "We are optimistic about the future. Futur has great opportunities to continue growing in the coming years by developing innovative and efficient services for savings and pensions. I am proud of how all employees have purposefully embraced our strategy and continue to work towards the goal of reaching 500 billion kronor in savings capital with the current organization", concludes Torgny Johansson, CEO of Futur. Key highlight
Lyten to Establish a Lyten Industrial Hub in Poland20.3.2026 13:00:00 EET | Press release
Lyten, the supermaterial applications company and global leader in an energy storage, has announced its interest in establishing a Lyten Industrial Hub in Poland. In 2026, Lyten will conduct a feasibility study to assess manufacturing requirements for Lyten products, potential private and public partnerships, and the necessary energy and utility infrastructure. The industrial hub will be built around Lyten Dwa – the energy storage production plant and R&D center in Gdańsk. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260320045026/en/ Lyten Voltpack Mobile System in front of Lyten Dwa plant in Gdansk, Poland In February 2026, Lyten announced the establishment of its first Industrial Hub in Skellefteå, Sweden, on the site of the former Northvolt Ett plant, which it recently acquired. It will combine battery production with a data center with a capacity of up to 1 GW, being built by EdgeConneX. Once it reaches full production
PUMA Reveals Its Most Powerful International Football Kit Lineup yet on the Streets of New York City20.3.2026 09:00:00 EET | Press release
Global sports company PUMA unveiled its new national team kits for 11 nations with a street-level event at Domino Square in New York City, that placed football, music, food, and culture at the center stage in a celebration of the game. Rather than launching in a stadium setting or in a cinematic brand film, PUMA chose to reveal the kits in play, worn first by local community players from each nation on the streets of New York. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260320641449/en/ Reinforcing its status as a leading force in football kits at this summer’s competition, PUMA unveiled jerseys for 11 nations, including the most prominent African partner federations of any brand in the tournament, in a community-first celebration of football, music, and culture in New York City. Four continents are united under 11 nations: Portugal, Morocco, Ghana, Paraguay, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Czech Republic, Switzerland, New Zealan
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom