ASP6981

ASP6981 is an oral small molecule drug developed by Astellas Pharma for the treatment of cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia. It was investigated as a novel therapy targeting cognitive deficits in patients with stable schizophrenia who were already on antipsychotic medication. The mechanism of action is described as modulation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), though the precise subtype and pharmacological details remain undefined in public sources. Clinical development reached Phase 1, where studies focused on safety, tolerability, pharmacodynamics (including effects on cognition and neurophysiological biomarkers), and pharmacokinetics. Development was discontinued after completion of Phase 1 trials[1][2][3][4][5].