Millendo Therapeutics, Inc. announced dosing of the first subject in a Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating the safety, pharmacokinetics and preliminary efficacy of MLE-301, a selective neurokinin 3 receptor (NK3R) antagonist that is being developed for the treatment of VMS, commonly known as hot flashes and night sweats, in menopausal women. The first-in-human trial is designed to evaluate the safety and tolerability of MLE-301. The single ascending dose portion of the study will be conducted in healthy male volunteers, to determine the pharmacokinetics of MLE-301 and its pharmacodynamic profile as measured by reductions of biomarkers (luteinizing hormone, testosterone). The Phase 1 multiple ascending dose portion will enroll post-menopausal women, allowing measurement of reductions in VMS frequency and severity, and establishment of initial clinical proof of concept. The Phase 1 clinical trial is supported by strong preclinical data that showed potency and selectivity for the NK3R receptor, the potential for once-daily dosing, and testosterone lowering effects consistent with the expected activity of an NK3R antagonist. Based on its demonstrated in vitro and in vivo activity, Millendo believes MLE-301 may have meaningful clinical impact in an area of high unmet medical need. MLE-301 is a neurokinin 3 receptor (NK3R) antagonist that is being developed as a potential treatment of vasomotor symptoms (VMS), commonly known as hot flashes and night sweats, in menopausal women. NK3R plays a key role in regulating the activity of KNDy (kisspeptin NKB dynorphin) neurons, which has been shown to participate in the generation of VMS. By inhibiting the NK3R signaling on the KNDy neurons and potentially other NK3R-expressing neurons that propagate heat dissipation signals through the hypothalamus, MLE-301 aims to reduce the effects of hyperactive KNDy neurons and thereby decrease the frequency and severity of vasomotor symptoms.