What is "losmapimod"

n. A selective inhibitor of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases.

Losmapimod (GW856553X) is a drug developed by GlaxoSmithKline which acts as a selective inhibitor of the enzyme family known as p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases.

p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases are mediators of inflammation. A Phase II human clinical trial for the treatment of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is underway. Inhibiting these enzymes has been shown to produce antidepressant and antipsychotic effects in animal studies, with the mechanism thought to involve increased neurogenesis probably related to BDNF release. Losmapimod has completed Phase II human clinical trials for the treatment of depression although its safety and efficacy have yet to be proven in further trials.

Losmapimod is also being studied for cardiovascular disease. A Phase II trial (LATITUDE) to study its effects in myocardial infarction (heart attack) has been stopped in January 2016 because of disappointing results in phase A of the trial.