GAL-054

GAL-054 is the (+)-enantiomer of doxapram, a small molecule respiratory stimulant developed by Galleon Pharmaceuticals. It functions by antagonizing TASK-1 (KCNK3) and TASK-3 (KCNK9) potassium channels, which are primarily located in the carotid bodies and are involved in the control of breathing. GAL-054 was developed to isolate the ventilatory-stimulating properties of racemic doxapram while avoiding the central nervous system adverse effects, such as agitation and seizures, which were attributed to the (-)-enantiomer (GAL-053). Although it demonstrated dose-dependent increases in minute volume in preclinical models, Phase 1 clinical trials in healthy volunteers and subjects with breathing disorders revealed that GAL-054 caused significant hypertension, mirroring findings in rat models.

Other names

(+)-doxapramdextrodoxapram