Gaba stands for gamma-aminobutyric acid, and it is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. Gaba has an impact on learning, memory, sleep regulation, pain, anxiety, epilepsy, muscle tension, and various forms of dependence such as alcohol dependence. The most common receptor for Gaba is called GabaA, and it can be found in various areas of the brain. Research has shown that Gabather’s small molecules can manipulate the GabaA receptor in new ways, opening up unexplored areas as well as differentiated mechanisms of action. Gabather therefore has the opportunity to develop pharmaceuticals with higher efficacy and fewer side effects, satisfying the unmet need for safer and more effective treatments in for example the anti-psychotics and anti-depressants market.

Gabather has completed in vitro and in vivo experiments on the substances GT-001 – GT-006. The substances were tested in models for psychosis and anxiety, with very promising general results such as none of the substances having sedative side effects. The main focus has been on GT-002, which is generating promising results as a potential antipsychotic. 

In 2015 Gabather signed a research agreement with UNSW (University of New South Wales, Australia), and one of the resulting studies show that GT-002 acts as a positive allosteric modulator on the GabaA receptor. The difference from other positive allosteric modulators is that GT-002 does not affect the neuron population, which minimizes the risk of sedative or convulsive side effects. Further in-vitro studies show that GT-002 is also a highly selective substance. 

Two of Gabather’s main assets are the patent families, Quinazolinderivatives and Triazoloderivatives, that contain drug candidates in the form of small molecules that interact with the GabaA receptor complex. The company’s intellectual property strategy is to apply for patents in the countries that represent the largest part of the global market. Therefore, the focus is on Europe, the United States, Canada, China, and India. Patents have been approved in the United States, China, Canada and Europe. The company will make continuous patent applications according to need as new discoveries are made by the research team.