ANS-6637

ANS-6637 is an oral, selective, and reversible inhibitor of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2), developed as a novel pharmacotherapy for substance use disorders including alcohol use disorder (AUD), opioid use disorder (OUD), and smoking cessation. It acts by inhibiting ALDH2 in the brain’s nucleus accumbens to prevent abnormal dopamine surges that drive craving and relapse without affecting basal dopamine levels. Preclinical studies demonstrated that ANS-6637 reduces craving and drug-seeking behavior for multiple addictive substances such as alcohol, cocaine, opioids, nicotine, methamphetamine, heroin, and even binge eating. The drug was originally developed by Gilead Sciences before being acquired by Amygdala Neurosciences. Clinical development included Phase 1 safety studies in healthy volunteers and several Phase 2 proof-of-concept trials targeting substance-related disorders[1][3][5][6][8].

Other names

aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 inhibitor GS-6637