Indianapolis – October 14, 2026 -- Carnyx Therapeutics Ltd. unveiled CNYX-005, an oral sleep candidate that increased total sleep time by roughly 1.5 to 2 hours in aged rats versus a control arm, as the preclinical-stage company moves toward clinical development.
The increase was driven primarily by more non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. Researchers measured sleep architecture using continuous electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring.
Carnyx hires Chris Brearley, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer ahead of clinical entry
Brearley brings more than 30 years of experience in translational medicine, clinical pharmacology and early-stage drug development. His prior roles include senior positions at Pfizer, Amgen and Serono. He has designed and overseen first-in-human and early-stage clinical studies, the stage CNYX-005 now approaches.
Brearley said he aims to translate the findings into a rigorous clinical development program.
NREM gains target the sleep stages that decline with age
NREM sleep is a core component of normal sleep architecture. Its deeper stages are associated with restorative processes including growth, hormone secretion and tissue repair. Sleep architecture changes with age, including reduced deep NREM sleep and increased sleep fragmentation. CEO Prof. Patrick Gunning said the NREM increase indicates CNYX-005 may influence sleep architecture rather than simply lengthen time asleep.
CNYX-005 originates in Epitalon peptide research but is a distinct candidate
The compound emerged from research into peptide biology tied to sleep regulation and healthy aging, including work involving Epitalon. Carnyx describes CNYX-005 as a separate therapeutic candidate and is applying medicinal chemistry, pharmacology and drug-development methods to establish efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetic profiles.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently reviewed Epitalon and a selection of other peptides as part of its evaluation of substances proposed for pharmaceutical compounding. Gunning noted that public interest in peptides often runs ahead of rigorous clinical evidence, and said Carnyx is pursuing systematic preclinical evaluation followed by clinical testing.
Carnyx is also developing CNYX-001, an investigational candidate for retinitis pigmentosa.