Drug evaluation: PRX-00023, a selective 5-HT1A receptor agonist for depression.

EPIX Pharmaceuticals Inc (formerly Predix Pharmaceuticals Inc) is developing PRX-00023, an oral aryl piperazine 5-HT1A agonist, for the potential treatment of depression. While initially in development for generalized anxiety disorder, EPIX is now only focusing on the development of PRX-00023 for depression. In November 2006, EPIX reported that it planned to initiate a phase II trial in patients with depression in the first half of 2007.