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Pregnanolone (ELTANOLONE)

Phase 2 active Small molecule

Pregnanolone (generic name: ELTANOLONE) is a eltanolone drug. It is currently in Phase 2 development.

Eltanolone works by enhancing the activity of GABA, a neurotransmitter that helps to calm down neuronal activity.

Eltanolone, also known as pregnanolone, is a small molecule drug that targets the GABA-A receptor alpha-1/beta-2/gamma-2 subunits. It is a potent anesthetic agent that works by enhancing the inhibitory effects of GABA, a neurotransmitter that helps to calm down neuronal activity. Eltanolone is not FDA-approved for any indications, and its commercial status is unknown. As a potent anesthetic, it requires careful consideration of its potential side effects, including respiratory depression and sedation. Further research is needed to fully understand its safety and efficacy profile.

Likelihood of approval
12.3% vs 15.3% industry baseline
If approved by FDA: likely 2031–2034
Steps remaining: Phase 3 → NDA/BLA submission
Confidence: Medium
Why this estimate
  • Baseline phase 2 → approval rate +15.3pp
    Industry-wide phase 2 drugs reach approval ~15.3% of the time (BIO/Informa 2023 industry benchmark across all therapeutic areas).
  • CNS / neurology attrition -3.0pp
    CNS drugs have historically high Phase 3 failure rates (notably in Alzheimer disease + major depression).
Predicted approval windows by jurisdiction (conditional on FDA approval)
Regulator Country Likely year Lag vs FDA
FDA US 2031–2034
EMA EU 2032–2035 +0.7 yr
MHRA GB 2032–2035 +0.7 yr
Health Canada CA 2032–2036 +0.9 yr
TGA AU 2032–2036 +1.2 yr
PMDA JP 2032–2036 +1.5 yr
NMPA CN 2033–2037 +2.3 yr
MFDS KR 2032–2036 +1.4 yr
CDSCO IN 2032–2037 +1.8 yr
ANVISA BR 2033–2037 +2.3 yr

Hover any row for the lag rationale. Lag estimates are reduced when the drug has FDA Breakthrough or EMA PRIME designation (sponsors file globally in parallel).

Estimate based on the BIO/Informa industry phase transition rates plus per-drug modifiers for therapeutic area, sponsor type, FDA designations, mechanism, and trial design. Per-jurisdiction lags from Tufts CSDD international approval studies. Not investment, clinical or regulatory advice. Methodology: /methodology#likelihood.

At a glance

Generic nameELTANOLONE
Drug classeltanolone
TargetGABA-A receptor alpha-1/beta-2/gamma-2, GABA-A receptor; anion channel
ModalitySmall molecule
Therapeutic areaNeuroscience
PhasePhase 2

Mechanism of action

Imagine your brain is like a busy city, with lots of different signals and activities happening all the time. GABA is like a traffic cop that helps to slow down the traffic and keep things calm. Eltanolone is like a special tool that helps the traffic cop do its job even better, by making it easier for GABA to calm down the activity in the brain.

Approved indications

No approved indications tracked.

Common side effects

No common side effects on file.

Key clinical trials

Primary sources

Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.

SourceUsed for
ClinicalTrials.govTrial enrolment, design, endpoints, results

Competitive intelligence

For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:

Frequently asked questions about Pregnanolone

What is Pregnanolone?

Pregnanolone (ELTANOLONE) is a eltanolone drug.

How does Pregnanolone work?

Eltanolone works by enhancing the activity of GABA, a neurotransmitter that helps to calm down neuronal activity.

What is the generic name of Pregnanolone?

ELTANOLONE is the generic (nonproprietary) name of Pregnanolone.

What drug class is Pregnanolone in?

Pregnanolone belongs to the eltanolone class. See all eltanolone drugs at /class/eltanolone.

What development phase is Pregnanolone in?

Pregnanolone is in Phase 2.

What does Pregnanolone target?

Pregnanolone targets GABA-A receptor alpha-1/beta-2/gamma-2, GABA-A receptor; anion channel and is a eltanolone.

Related

Primary sources · FDA · ClinicalTrials.gov · EMA · SEC EDGAR · ChEMBL · Wikidata · full sourcing