Key Highlights
- Marvel Biosciences released preliminary mouse-study data for its autism drug candidate MB-204.
- The company said high-dose MB-204 normalized six behavioural measures, while istradefylline did not.
- Marvel also disclosed two paid investor-marketing engagements, subject to TSX Venture Exchange acceptance.
Marvel Biosciences Corp. (TSXV: MRVL | OTCQB: MBCOF) released preliminary results from a preclinical mouse-model study of its lead drug candidate MB-204, which the company is developing for autism spectrum disorder and related neurodevelopmental disorders.
The company said the study used a Shank3 ex13-16 mouse model that it described as clinically manifesting as Phelan-McDermid syndrome, and that the work was conducted in collaboration with Dr. Julie Le Merrer and Dr. Jerome Becker at the iBraiN Institute.
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According to Marvel, MB-204 was evaluated at 1 mg/kg and 2.5 mg/kg given orally, and compared with istradefylline at 1 mg/kg given orally, which the release described as the highest dose that does not affect locomotion. Animals were studied one to three hours after dosing. Marvel noted that istradefylline is a clinically approved drug for the treatment of Parkinson’s Disease.
Marvel said the high dose of MB-204 returned behaviour to wild-type (normal) levels across six measured endpoints: number of nose contacts, number of paw contacts, mean duration of nose contacts, mean duration of paw contacts, number of spontaneous alternations in the Y-maze, and number of alternate arm returns.
In contrast, the company said istradefylline did not return behaviour to wild-type levels on those same measures, and the release listed p-values for each endpoint (ranging from p<0.05 to p<0.001).
Marvel also reported that both high-dose MB-204 and istradefylline reduced the number of grooming episodes and the number of same arm returns in the Y-maze to normal levels. The company said low-dose MB-204 returned behaviour to normal levels on several measures, including mean duration of nose and paw contacts, grooming episodes, and Y-maze measures including spontaneous alternations, alternate arm returns and same arm returns, while performing similarly to istradefylline on other endpoints.
In a statement included in the release, President and Chief Science Officer Dr. Mark Williams said, “We are very pleased with the results, which confirms the efficacy of MB-204 as a potential first and best-in-class treatment for autism. We look forward to testing MB-204 for the first time in patients as we prepare for our Phase 1 clinical trial.”
The company said it has made available three video demonstrations intended to illustrate behaviours in wild-type control mice, the Shank3 preclinical model, and the effects of MB-204 in that model.
Marketing engagements
Marvel also disclosed two investor awareness and digital marketing engagements as it advances MB-204 toward Phase 1 clinical trials.
Marvel said it entered a marketing services agreement dated Oct. 22, 2026 with Outside The Box Capital Inc. for a two-month term from Oct. 22, 2026 to Dec. 21, 2026, with a total cash fee of $50,000 plus applicable taxes. The release said Outside The Box Capital and its principals are arm’s length to Marvel and have no direct or indirect interest in the company or its securities, and no right or intent to acquire such an interest. Marvel said the agreement is subject to acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange.
Marvel also said it engaged Investing News Network – INN (Dig Media Inc.) under an agreement dated Oct. 30, 2026 for a digital campaign expected to commence on or around Oct. 30, 2026 and continue for a six-month period, or until inventory is finished, with no automatic renewal. Marvel said it agreed to pay a cash fee of $45,000, and that INN and its principals are arm’s length to the company with no direct or indirect interest in Marvel or its securities, and no right or intent to acquire such an interest. The company said this agreement is also subject to TSX Venture Exchange acceptance.
The original press release is available on stockhouse.com
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