Lixosicone

Lixosicone
Clinical data
Other names	AEF0117; AEF-0117; 3β-(4-Methoxybenzyloxy)pregn-5-en-20-one
Drug class	Cannabinoid CB1 receptor negative allosteric modulator
Identifiers
	IUPAC name 1-[(3S,8S,9S,10R,13S,14S,17S)-3-[(4-methoxyphenyl)methoxy]-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-17-yl]ethanone;
CAS Number	1610878-71-1 ;
PubChem CID	139433957;
ChemSpider	129421614;
UNII	9LG9CT78SV;
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C29H40O3
Molar mass	436.636 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image;
	SMILES CC(=O)[C@H]1CC[C@@H]2[C@@]1(CC[C@H]3[C@H]2CC=C4[C@@]3(CC[C@@H](C4)OCC5=CC=C(C=C5)OC)C)C;
	InChI InChI=1S/C29H40O3/c1-19(30)25-11-12-26-24-10-7-21-17-23(32-18-20-5-8-22(31-4)9-6-20)13-15-28(21,2)27(24)14-16-29(25,26)3/h5-9,23-27H,10-18H2,1-4H3/t23-,24-,25+,26-,27-,28-,29+/m0/s1; Key:AAZPIQPULVRHOW-SFKJMYEFSA-N;

Lixosicone (AEF0117, 3β-(4-methoxybenzyloxy)pregn-5-en-20-one) is a compound derived from pregnenolone by Aelis Farma, which acts as a biased negative allosteric modulator of the cannabinoid CB₁ receptor, representing a new class of compounds referred to as CB₁-selective signalling-specific inhibitors (CB₁-SSi). It binds to an allosteric site on the CB₁ receptor and modifies the downstream signalling produced as a result of CB₁ activation, preventing CB₁ mediated changes to mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation but without affecting the signalling mediated by cyclic AMP. Unlike pregnenolone, AEF0117 is specific for the CB₁-SSi activity and lacks the neurosteroid action typical of many structurally related compounds.^[1]

In Phase II human clinical trials in patients diagnosed with cannabis use disorder, AEF0117 was found to partly but not completely block the effects of THC, and reduced cannabis self-administration but without producing an acute withdrawal syndrome and with relatively mild side effects. It is hoped that compounds of this type may be useful either as medications for the treatment of cannabinoid dependence, or could be used alongside medicinal cannabis to reduce unwanted side effects while retaining therapeutic efficacy.^[2]

As of March 2026, lixosicone is in phase 2 clinical trials for treatment of substance-related disorders.^[3] It is being developed by Aelis Farma.^[3]

References

↑ US 11484537, Piazza PV, Fabre S, Metna M, Monlezun S, Busquet-Garcia A, Cota D, Marsicano G, Revest JM, Vallée M, "3β-(4-methoxybenzyloxy)pregn-5-en-20-one for use in the treatment of cannabinoids-related disorders.", issued 1 November 2022, assigned to Universite de Bordeaux.
↑ Haney M, Vallée M, Fabre S, Collins Reed S, Zanese M, Campistron G, et al. (June 2023). "Signaling-specific inhibition of the CB₁ receptor for cannabis use disorder: phase 1 and phase 2a randomized trials". Nature Medicine. 29 (6): 1487–1499. doi:10.1038/s41591-023-02381-w. PMC 10287566. PMID 37291212.
1 2 "AEF 0117". AdisInsight. 13 March 2026. Retrieved 17 April 2026.

[1] US 11484537, Piazza PV, Fabre S, Metna M, Monlezun S, Busquet-Garcia A, Cota D, Marsicano G, Revest JM, Vallée M, "3β-(4-methoxybenzyloxy)pregn-5-en-20-one for use in the treatment of cannabinoids-related disorders.", issued 1 November 2022, assigned to Universite de Bordeaux.

[pmid37291212-2] Haney M, Vallée M, Fabre S, Collins Reed S, Zanese M, Campistron G, et al. (June 2023). "Signaling-specific inhibition of the CB₁ receptor for cannabis use disorder: phase 1 and phase 2a randomized trials". Nature Medicine. 29 (6): 1487–1499. doi:10.1038/s41591-023-02381-w. PMC 10287566. PMID 37291212.

[AdisInsight-3] 1 2 "AEF 0117". AdisInsight. 13 March 2026. Retrieved 17 April 2026.

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Lixosicone

See also

References