Neuroscience Research
The era of the human genome has revealed a bountiful supply of new and exciting discoveries filled with potential for determining the underlying mechanisms involved in the etiology of neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases. At Wyeth’s Neuroscience Research campus in Princeton, New Jersey, we believe that application of this research will ultimately lead to the discovery and development of novel targets and therapies. Our objectives are firmly focused on delivering groundbreaking new medicines to treat debilitating neurological and psychiatric disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, chronic pain, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.Ultimately, our future success will be dependent on an increased understanding of disease etiology and will be determined by our ability to deliver innovative therapies that transition away from palliative symptomatic approaches and move toward medicines that truly impact the disease process itself.
Depression & Anxiety
The research interests of the Depression & Anxiety group is to develop innovative, disease-modifying therapies to improve on key unmet clinical needs of current marketed antidepressants, including improved efficacy and tolerability. The primary clinical indications being explored are major depressive and anxiety disorders. We are also strategically collaborating with internal and external research groups with an eye towards advancing our understanding of disease etiology and identifying the underlying molecular, biochemical and genetic mechanisms of depression and anxiety.
Pain
By identifying key mechanisms that underlie and maintain chronic inflammatory and neuropathic pain states, the Pain department is focusing on developing effective therapeutic interventions targeting these conditions. Within these areas, special interest is being placed on understanding the contribution of depression to chronic pain conditions, such as fibromyalgia. Additional interests of the group are focused on advancing the basic biology of pain associated with bone cancer, osteoarthritis, and phantom limb pain. The pain portfolio encompasses a diverse set of targets balanced among peripheral and centrally acting ion channels as well as GPCRs, enzymes, and transporters, a strategy that maximizes our chances of developing novel therapies for the various chronic pain states that highlight this area of great unmet medical need.
Schizophrenia & Bipolar
Using approaches that affect dopaminergic, serotonergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission, the Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorders Discovery research Group seeks to define innovative pharmacological therapies with improved efficacy and safety through a more effective application of the understanding of disease etiology and symptom domains. Assays with predictive value for efficacy in these disorders are being integrated with more novel preclinical approaches to modeling these diseases and addressing symptoms, such as cognitive deficits. Additionally, recent advances in genetics are allowing for a better understanding of disease pathophysiology, which is helping us to develop novel treatment approaches that may ultimately modify the course of these disorders.
Neurodegeneration
The Neurodegeneration department is working to elucidate novel treatments for Alzheimer's disease, stroke, neuroregeneration, Parkinson's disease, ALS, and multiple sclerosis. The group is working on a number of exciting projects to develop a mechanistic understanding of disease pathophysiology and etiology that will result in the development of new therapeutics. Research programs take advantage of innovative technologies ranging from in vitro to cell, brain slice, and in vivo behavioral models and also span multiple drug discovery platforms including small molecules, vaccines, peptides, natural products, and monoclonal antibodies.
Neuropharmacology & Neurophysiology
This department leverages technology platforms such as conventional and high-throughput electrophysiology, high content screening, and high-throughout pharmacology in support of the various neuroscience therapeutic areas. Major areas of current focus include ligand and voltage-gated ion channels, GPCRs and kinases.