Independent Study Boosts Therapeutic Rationale For Artelo’s FABP Inhibitor Program In Anxiety And Depression

Artelo Biosciences, Inc., a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on developing treatments by targeting lipid-signaling pathways for conditions such as cancer, pain, dermatological, and neurological disorders, announced the publication of a detailed review article in the journal Neurobiology of Disease. The article, titled “Fatty acid binding proteins and their involvement in anxiety and mood disorders,” highlights the potential of Fatty Acid Binding Protein (FABP) inhibitors as therapies for mood and anxiety disorders.

The peer-reviewed review was co-authored by Dr. Steven Laviolette, a professor at the Schulich School of Medicine, along with other researchers from the University of Western Ontario in Canada. The article presents extensive preclinical research showing that FABP5, FABP3, and FABP7 play important roles in regulating lipid transport, neuroinflammation, and endocannabinoid signaling—processes that are critically linked to the development of anxiety and depression.

Gregory D. Gorgas, Chief Executive Officer at Artelo Biosciences, stated, “We believe this paper provides compelling evidence that inhibition of FABP5 can significantly elevate anandamide levels, modulate stress-related neurocircuits, and produce robust anxiety-reducing and antidepressant effects without the cognitive side effects typically seen with current standard of care. These findings add to the growing body of research supporting FABPs as promising targets for the treatment of a wide array of neuropsychiatric conditions.”

Artelo’s proprietary FABP inhibitor platform, which includes its clinical-stage candidate ART26.12 and several related backup and follow-on compounds, specifically targets FABP5. These inhibitors are designed to increase levels of natural molecules like anandamide that are involved in lipid signaling. ART26.12 recently completed enrollment in a Phase 1 Single Ascending Dose study involving nearly 50 healthy volunteers, with data expected to be announced this quarter. Additionally, Artelo plans to share results from a food effect study of ART26.12 later this summer.