Psychology Colloquium: Prof Michael Bowen (USYD)

Prof Michael Bowen (USYD)Title: KNX100 and other small molecules that could: Developing prosocial compounds for disorders of the brain and mind
Abstract: Challenges with social motivation, interactions, and communication are central to many disorders of the brain and mind, and are major barriers to improved functioning in others. For example, in substance use disorders, impairments in social functioning can hinder successful engagement in programs where social factors are crucial, such as the Community Reinforcement Approach and Alcoholics Anonymous. Despite their pervasiveness, there are no approved pharmacotherapies specifically targeting social symptoms. KNX100 is a novel, now clinical-stage small molecule, discovered at the University of Sydney through a phenotypic screen that identified its prosocial effects and modulation of social circuits in the brain. KNX100 is being developed by the University of Sydney spinout company, Kinoxis Therapeutics, in close partnership with the University under a major multi-year research partnership. In preclinical models, KNX100 is showing transdiagnostic potential for treating substance use disorders, and for reducing agitation and aggression in neurological and psychiatric conditions. KNX100’s novel mechanism of action involves inhibiting neuronal hyperactivity in the nucleus accumbens shell and increased activity in the prodynorphin-dynorphin-kappa opioid receptor pathway in this brain region, a system at the nexus of motivation, socioemotional behaviour, and stress. Current programs are exploring KNX100’s clinical efficacy for treating several substance use disorders, and agitation and aggression in dementia. In its other major program, Kinoxis has partnered with multinational pharmaceutical company Boehringer-Ingelheim to discover and develop, in close partnership with researchers at the University, novel small molecules targeting the oxytocin receptor, one of the most important social systems in the brain. 

Bio: Michael Bowen is Professor of Translational Neuroscience and Psychopharmacology in the School of Psychology and Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, and co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Kinoxis Therapeutics, a biotech company developing novel therapeutics for disorders of the brain and mind. Michael was co-inventor of the Kinoxis lead compound, KNX100, which is being developed for the treatment of substance use disorders and agitation and aggression in dementia. KNX100 is in clinical development under a US FDA IND and has successfully complete phase 1 clinical trials. In addition to the KNX100 program, Kinoxis Therapeutics has a preclinical program developing novel small molecules targeting the oxytocin receptor. Michael’s team is supported by funding from industry, the US NIH/NIDA, Australian NHMRC, and philanthropy. In recognition of his work discovering and developing novel therapeutics and for his achievements translating and commercialising research, Michael has received numerous honours, including the 2021 Australian Prime Minister’s Prize for New Innovators, the 2016 Eureka Prize for Outstanding Early Career Researcher, the 2016 International Behavioral Neuroscience Society Early Career Award, the inaugural NSW Premier’s Prize for Early Career Researcher of the Year in 2015, and being inducted into the World Economic Forum’s Young Scientists Community in 2016.