Carnyx Therapeutics Unveils Oral Sleep Candidate CNYX-005 with Increased NREM Sleep

INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 14, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- Carnyx Therapeutics, a preclinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, has unveiled its lead oral sleep candidate, CNYX-005, following preclinical findings that show a significant increase in total sleep time, particularly in non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. The company’s research, conducted on aged animal models, demonstrated that CNYX-005 could increase total sleep time by 1.5 to 2 hours, with the primary effect being an enhancement in NREM sleep. This study, which utilized continuous electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring, revealed that the sleep architecture in aged rats administered with CNYX-005 was notably improved.

The preclinical data suggest that CNYX-005 may support restorative sleep physiology, which is a critical component of normal sleep architecture. NREM sleep, in particular, is associated with growth, hormone secretion, and tissue repair. As the body ages, there is a natural decline in deep NREM sleep and an increase in sleep fragmentation. The preclinical data from Carnyx Therapeutics suggests that CNYX-005 may address these issues, potentially offering a novel approach to improving sleep quality in older adults.

In a forward-looking statement, Professor Patrick Gunning, the CEO of Carnyx Therapeutics, emphasized the importance of supporting restorative sleep physiology. This approach is particularly significant given the growing scientific and public interest in peptides and their potential applications in health and longevity.

In a related development, Chris Brearley, M.D., has joined Carnyx Therapeutics as Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Brearley brings extensive experience in translational medicine, clinical pharmacology, and early-stage drug development, having held senior roles at Pfizer, Amgen, and Serono. His expertise will be crucial as the company advances CNYX-005 toward clinical development.

Carnyx Therapeutics is also developing CNYX-001, an investigational candidate for retinitis pigmentosa, a progressive eye disease that leads to vision loss. The company is focused on translating promising biology into rigorously developed therapeutics, with a particular emphasis on addressing unmet medical needs. 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.

The company’s pipeline includes both CNYX-005 and CNYX-001, with CNYX-005 being the lead oral sleep candidate. The preclinical study results indicate that CNYX-005 may have the potential to significantly improve sleep quality in older adults by enhancing NREM sleep. The company is advancing CNYX-005 toward clinical development, with Dr. Brearley’s expertise expected to play a key role in this process.

In summary, Carnyx Therapeutics has unveiled its lead oral sleep candidate, CNYX-005, following preclinical findings that show a 1.5 to 2-hour increase in total sleep time, primarily in NREM sleep. The company is also developing CNYX-001 for retinitis pigmentosa, with Chris Brearley, M.D., joining as Chief Medical Officer to support the advancement of CNYX-005 toward clinical evaluation.