Pexacerfont

Overview
Pexacerfont (BMS-562086) is a drug developed by Bristol-Myers Squibb which acts as a CRF-1 antagonist.

Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF), also known as Corticotropin releasing hormone, is an endogenous peptide hormone which is released in response to various triggers such as chronic stress and drug addiction. This then triggers the release of corticotropin (ACTH), another hormone which is involved in the physiological response to stress. Chronic release of CRF and ACTH is believed to be directly or indirectly involved in many of the harmful physiological effects of chronic stress, such as excessive glucocorticoid release, stomach ulcers, anxiety, depression, and development of high blood pressure and consequent cardiovascular problems.

Pexacerfont is a recently developed CRF-1 antagonist which is currently in clinical trials for the treatment of anxiety disorders, and has also been proposed to be useful for the treatment of depression and irritable bowel syndrome.