BNC245

BNC245 is a small molecule positive allosteric modulator (PAM) of the alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR), developed by Bionomics Limited. It was identified as a second-generation candidate following the company's lead compound, BNC210, specifically designed to address cognitive impairment associated with neurological and psychiatric disorders. The drug works by potentiating the activity of α7 nAChRs, which are highly expressed in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex and play a critical role in synaptic plasticity, memory, and learning. By enhancing cholinergic neurotransmission, BNC245 aims to improve cognitive functions such as attention and memory in patients with Alzheimer's disease or Cognitive Impairment Associated with Schizophrenia (CIAS). While BNC245 demonstrated efficacy in preclinical models of cognition and anxiety, its development has been less prominent in recent years as the developer focused resources on BNC210.