Autobahn Therapeutics Presents New Preclinical Data at ASCP Annual Meeting Demonstrating Elunetirom Drives Robust Bioenergetic and Neuroplastic Improvements in Neuronal Cultures

New preclinical findings demonstrate elunetirom’s direct effects on key gene programs that drive mitochondrial biogenesis, ATP production, and neuroplasticity in neuronal cultures

Topline data anticipated from Phase 2 AMPLIFY-BD study in adjunctive bipolar depression in 2Q26 and Phase 2 AMPLIFY study in adjunctive major depressive disorder in 3Q26

Excerpt from the Press Release:

SAN DIEGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Autobahn Therapeutics, Inc., a biotechnology company developing restorative treatments for people affected by neuropsychiatric disorders, today announced the presentation of new preclinical data for elunetirom (ABX-002), the company’s lead asset currently in Phase 2 clinical development for adjunctive major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar depression, at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology (ASCP) Annual Meeting taking place in Miami Beach, Florida.

“The findings we are sharing today build on previously presented preclinical data and provide a more complete mechanistic picture showing that elunetirom directly engages key gene programs, including PGC-1α, NRF2, and BDNF, that govern mitochondrial biogenesis, ATP production, and neuroplasticity in the brain, even in the presence of cellular stress,” said Jason Harris, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer for Autobahn. “This novel mechanism of restoring brain energy production while strengthening neuronal connectivity gives us increased confidence in elunetirom’s differentiated potential to improve neurobiological health and deliver a meaningful treatment option for patients with MDD and bipolar depression, including those with atypical depression, a highly prevalent and underserved subgroup with metabolic features relevant to bioenergetic dysfunction.”

The preclinical data demonstrates that elunetirom and its active metabolite produce significant improvements across multiple measures of neuroplasticity and mitochondrial health, including neurogenesis, neurite outgrowth, synaptogenesis, and mitochondrial biogenesis. The magnitude of these effects was comparable to those achieved with the positive control brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF; 50 ng/mL), a master regulator of synaptic plasticity.

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