Metabolic and Mitochondrial Crosstalk in Insulin and cAMP Pathways in Fragile X Syndrome

Fragile X syndrome research explores insulin and cAMP pathway crosstalk, mapping brain metabolism to guide treatment strategies.

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FRAXA Drug Validation Initiative (FRAXA-DVI)

The FRAXA Drug Validation Initiative (FRAXA-DVI) provides speedy, cost-effective, objective preclinical testing to validate investigational and repurposed compounds for Fragile X.

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Shionogi’s EXPERIENCE Phase 3 Clinical Trial of Zatolmilast in Fragile X Syndrome

Learn more about Shionogi’s EXPERIENCE clinical trials for adults and adolescents with Fragile X syndrome, FRAXA’s role, and the open-label extension of these trials.

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Dr. Thomas Maurin and Dr. Barbara Bardoni, Fragile X researchers and co-authors of a 2025 review on PDE inhibitors published in Cell Reports Medicine.

Fragile X and PDE Inhibitors: A Promising Path Forward for Brain Disorders

Fragile X syndrome research shows PDE inhibitors may improve brain function and behavior, with promise for related neurodevelopmental disorders.

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NPR Spotlights Zatolmilast: A Potential Breakthrough for Fragile X Syndrome

NPR spotlights zatolmilast, a promising investigational drug to treat Fragile X syndrome. Families report life-changing improvements in learning and independence.

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Fragile X Clinical Trial of New PDE4D Inhibitor from Tetra

A $200K FRAXA grant enabled a successful Phase 2 trial of a PDE4D inhibitor for adult men with Fragile X, showing strong cognitive gains without side effects or tolerance.

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Tetra’s Fragile X Clinical Trial – The Most Successful So Far

Dr. Mark Gurney, CEO of Tetra Therapeutics, discusses how one of the earliest clues to the biology of Fragile X led to the most successful Fragile X clinical trial to date. FRAXA and Tetra began working together after a key FRAXA-funded study caught the attention of Dr. Gurney. Through the FRAXA Drug Validation Initiative, Dr. Patricia Cogram was able to conduct preclinical validation experiments with Tetra’s lead compound in record time, paving the way for clinical trials.

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Tetra Releases Full Results of FRAXA-Funded Clinical Trial of PDE4D Inhibitor

Today, Tetra Therapeutics published the full results of its PDE4D trial published the full results to their announcement. Now having reviewed the full results, FRAXA can confidently say that the PDE4D drug trial gives hope to patients and families that Fragile X Syndrome is a treatable disorder, and this particular drug can improve intellectual disability.

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Clinical Trials and Cyclic AMP in Fragile X Syndrome: A Life Journey

In November 2020, a phase II clinical trial reported extremely successful results. This clinical trial of a PDE4D inhibitor from Tetra Pharmaceuticals was conducted by Dr. Elizabeth Berry-Kravis at Rush University Medical Center and funded by FRAXA Research Foundation. In this Simons Foundation lecture, Elizabeth Berry-Kravis traces 30 years of Fragile X research, from identifying its cause, through finding dozens of treatment targets, through a series of disappointing clinical trials.

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Positive Results Reported in Phase II Fragile X Clinical Trial of PDE4D Inhibitor Zatolmilast from Tetra Therapeutics

Today, Tetra Therapeutics announces the first unequivocally positive phase 2 clinical trial in Fragile X syndrome, press release below. The results do not depend on carving out a subset of patients or post hoc analysis.

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Companies Move to Advance Potential Cognitive Treatment for Fragile X

Tetra Therapeutics and Shionogi announced plans to expand their partnership supporting BPN14770, a treatment candidate for disorders marked by cognitive and memory deficits, including Fragile X syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease. The agreement builds on an earlier collaboration between the two companies, and aims to further accelerate BPN14770’s development and potential marketing. It is currently in clinical testing in both Fragile X and Alzheimer’s patients.

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Should You Participate in a Fragile X Clinical Trial?

A Fragile X clinical trial of a new PDE4D allosteric inhibitor from Tetra Therapeutics is nearly complete. Right now there are 3 remaining spots open to males 18-45 years of age with Fragile X syndrome. Dr. Elizabeth Berry-Kravis at the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago is leading this trial. The drug being studied has a unique mechanism of action that might improve cognitive and memory function.  

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Screening 2,320 FDA-Approved Drugs for Potential Treatment of Fragile X

FRAXA funded a screen of 2,320 FDA-approved compounds in the Fragile X fly model to identify hits that improve memory and social behavior for advanced testing.

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Tetra Announces $40M to Advance BPN14770 for FXS and Alzheimer’s Disease

Tetra Discovery Partners has signed a multi-part deal that could bring it up to $160 million, plus royalties, from Shionogi & Co, Ltd, a Japanese major research-driven pharmaceutical company. Tetra currently is conducting an investigational Phase 2 study of BPN14770 in adults with Fragile X Syndrome, an indication for which BPN14770 has received Orphan Drug Designation from the US Food and Drug Administration. This clinical trial was made possible by early work with the FRAXA-DVI and over $200,000 from FRAXA.

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Dr. Thomas Maurin and Dr. Barbara Bardoni, Fragile X researchers and co-authors of a 2025 review on PDE inhibitors published in Cell Reports Medicine.

Research Points to Drugs which Inhibit PDE to Treat Fragile X

FRAXA-funded work identified PDE enzymes as key targets in Fragile X, showing that PDE inhibitors can fix signaling and boost synaptic function. PDE4D trials are underway.

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Tetra Discovery Partners

Tetra Discovery Partners Initiates Phase 2 Trial of BPN14770 in Fragile X Syndrome

This 2-Period Crossover Study of BPN14770 is accepting adults males with Fragile X syndrome at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. Principal Investigator of the study is Elizabeth Berry-Kravis, MD, PhD.
A selective inhibitor of the phosphodiesterase type-4D (PDE4D), BPN14770 has shown the ability to improve the quality of connections between neurons and to improve multiple behavioral outcomes in the Fragile X mouse model.

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Peter Vanderklish, PhD, at Scripps Research Institute, FRAXA research grant

Targeting AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Pathway in Fragile X Syndrome

With this grant from FRAXA, Dr. Peter Vanderklish explored AMPK activators to treat Fragile X. Both metformin and resveratrol, found in red wine, are AMPK activators.

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