DSP-1181

DSP-1181 is an orally active, long-acting small-molecule **full agonist** of the serotonin 5-HT1A receptor, discovered using Exscientia’s AI-based Centaur Chemist platform in collaboration with Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma for the treatment of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD).[7][9][11][12] Unlike earlier 5-HT1A agonists such as buspirone and tandospirone, which are partial agonists, DSP-1181 was designed as a potent full agonist with a long half-life to provide stronger and more durable modulation of 5-HT1A-mediated anxiolytic and anti-obsessional pathways.[9][10][12] The drug advanced to a Phase 1 clinical trial in Japan for OCD in 2020 as one of the first AI-designed molecules to enter human testing, but development was later discontinued after failing to meet internal progression criteria.[3][6][11]