AV608

AV608 is a selective, specific, long-acting, orally active and potent nonpeptidic antagonist of the neurokinin 1 (NK-1) receptor. It is a 4-aminopiperidine derivative developed initially by Novartis and later licensed to Avera Pharmaceuticals for further development. The drug was investigated for the treatment of social anxiety disorder (social phobia), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and overactive bladder. Its mechanism involves blocking the action of substance P at the NK-1 receptor in the central nervous system—a pathway implicated in pain perception and anxiety regulation. Clinical studies showed that AV608 could reduce anxiety and pain ratings in IBS patients and modulate activity in brain regions associated with emotional arousal. Despite promising early results regarding safety and tolerability (with no dose-limiting side effects observed in approximately 3000 subjects), all clinical development was discontinued by 2010[1][2][3][5].