Seyltx Expands Chronic Cough Pipeline with Option for GluN2B Antagonists

Seyltx, a biotech company focused on chronic cough treatments, has secured an option to license a portfolio of eight GluN2B antagonists from NeurOp, strengthening its position in the development of novel therapies for persistent cough conditions. The agreement, announced on June 5, 2025, includes a candidate that has already completed a phase 1 trial, potentially accelerating Seyltx's path to market.

Strategic Expansion of Cough-Suppression Portfolio

The newly optioned compounds are all negative allosteric modulators of GluN2B, a subunit of the NMDA receptor that has been identified as a primary target for cough suppression in preclinical studies. This strategic move aligns with Seyltx's existing work on NMDA receptor inhibitors, particularly its lead therapy ifenprodil, which demonstrated significant cough reduction in a phase 2 study in 2022.

Dietrich Stephan, Ph.D., CEO of Seyltx, expressed enthusiasm about the agreement, stating, "We are incredibly excited about this option agreement with NeurOp, which significantly strengthens our pipeline for chronic cough therapies." He further emphasized the potential of these compounds to "provide potentially superior treatment options" for patients with chronic cough and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis by "addressing the condition with a centrally acting non-narcotic solution."

Synergistic Collaboration in NMDA Receptor Biology

The partnership between Seyltx and NeurOp combines Seyltx's expertise in chronic cough therapeutic development with NeurOp's deep knowledge of NMDA receptor biology. James McNamara, M.D., NeurOp's executive chairman, highlighted the sophistication of their team's expertise and the development of their GluN2B antagonists.

"Seyltx's deep understanding and focus on chronic cough make them an ideal partner to further develop and bring these important compounds to patients in need," McNamara added, expressing optimism about the future of the collaboration.

Targeted Approach to Minimize Side Effects

While the widely used cough suppressant dextromethorphan is an NMDA receptor antagonist, Seyltx and NeurOp are betting on a more targeted approach. By focusing specifically on the GluN2B subunit, the companies aim to "achieve robust cough suppression, while avoiding the adverse event profile observed with non-specific NMDA antagonists."

This strategy could potentially lead to more effective treatments with fewer side effects, addressing a significant unmet need in the management of chronic cough conditions.