Object Pharma is developing OP01 for clinical use in depression, as a stand-alone or add-on therapy, with one treatment lasting at least 3 months.

In the US, 21 million adults (8.2%) had a major depressive episode in 2024. Major depressive disorder is a $7-11 bil market. 

OP01 is a therapeutic neurotoxin at the pre-clinical stage. Early clinical trials have shown that neurotoxins can reduce the symptoms of depression vs placebo. 

OP01 is a neurotoxin purified from the bacteria, C. botulinum, which Object acquired by purchasing Metabioloigcs Inc, a reagent supplier of botulinum neurotoxins. OP01 is a novel toxin, related to Botox, with improved properties that may provide clinical benefit. Metabiologics provides (1) a library of novel neurotoxins, (2) a CDC-approved laboratory for production, and (3) annual revenue to reduce the company burn rate.

Object’s Series A will support OP01’s first-in-human clinical trial, a Phase 1,2 trial in depression.