New data confirms Enveric’s lead neuroplastogen acts on a serotonin receptor tied to depression, Parkinson’s, and migraine.
Enveric Biosciences has announced that EB-003, its oral, non-hallucinogenic neuroplastogen, also acts as an agonist at the serotonin 5‑HT1B receptor. The new receptor binding data broadens the compound’s therapeutic reach to central nervous system (CNS) conditions such as depression, Parkinson’s disease, and migraine, reinforcing its candidacy as a prescription-ready neuroplastogenic agent.
New Receptor, Broader Scope
The serotonin 5‑HT1B receptor is found primarily in the frontal cortex, basal ganglia, and hippocampus, brain regions central to mood regulation, motor control, and pain processing. It’s a validated target for several approved CNS drugs. Enveric reports that EB-003 shows 5‑HT1B agonist activity with an EC50 of 110 nM, further supporting its potential utility in major depressive disorder, cluster headaches, and neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s.
This activity complements the compound’s previously disclosed 5‑HT2A partial agonism, believed to underlie its neuroplastogenic effects. The dual-receptor profile differentiates EB-003 from conventional psychedelics and may contribute to broader symptom relief across CNS disorders, all without inducing hallucinations.
Inside EB‑003’s Profile and Progress
EB-003 is a novel small molecule designed to drive neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to adapt and form new connections, while avoiding the hallucinogenic liabilities of classic psychedelics. It acts as a dual agonist at the 5‑HT2A and 5‑HT1B receptors, combining pathways traditionally associated with neuroplastic stimulation and mood regulation. This mechanism supports its potential utility across multiple CNS indications while distinguishing it from standard psychedelics that rely solely on 5‑HT2A activation.
Preclinical studies have demonstrated that EB-003 is orally bioavailable and achieves therapeutically relevant brain concentrations in rodent models. The compound also shows a favorable in vitro safety profile, with no markers for cytotoxicity or cardiotoxicity. Importantly, animal testing has revealed no behavioral signs of hallucination, even at active doses, supporting the feasibility of outpatient, chronic use.
Enveric is advancing EB-003 through IND-enabling studies, with a pre-IND meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration expected in the second half of 2025. As outlined in the company’s Q1 2025 corporate presentation, EB-003 remains the lead candidate generated by the Psybrary platform, a proprietary library of over 300 neuroplastogen analogs.
Strategic Significance
The discovery that EB-003 acts on both 5‑HT1B and 5‑HT2A receptors meaningfully expands its potential indication set beyond depression, into migraine, Parkinson’s disease, and other neurological conditions where 5‑HT1B plays a known role. This broader pharmacology increases the compound’s relevance across CNS pipelines, positioning EB-003 as a single-agent candidate with multi-symptom utility.
Data also link 5‑HT1B modulation to reward circuitry and behavioural regulation, suggesting EB-003 may ultimately apply to conditions like addiction, alongside mood and movement disorders.
Pharmaceutical interest continues to shift toward neuroplasticity-based approaches that avoid the burdens of psychedelic therapy. EB-003’s oral, non-hallucinogenic profile makes it compatible with standard prescribing models, aligning with payer and provider priorities for scalable treatment.
The compound also showcases the output of Enveric’s Psybrary platform, which feeds a broader IP and partnership strategy. While EB-003 advances toward IND, Enveric is actively exploring licensing options for other Psybrary-derived molecules, supporting a pipeline-plus-platform business model in CNS innovation.
“The ability to stimulate neuroplasticity through 5‑HT1B without hallucinations gives us a compelling foundation for outpatient treatment of mood and neurological disorders.” said Joseph Tucker, Ph.D., CEO of Enveric.
