Adial Pharmaceuticals

Adial Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing therapies for addiction and related disorders. Founded in November 2010 by Bankole A. Johnson and William B. Stilley, the company is headquartered in Glen Allen, Virginia, and has been publicly traded on NASDAQ under the ticker ADIL since July 2018. The company's creation stemmed from pioneering research into the genetics of addiction that began in the 1990s, which led to Adial licensing its core technology from the University of Virginia.

The founders' backgrounds are central to Adial's mission. Dr. Bankole A. Johnson is a world-renowned neuroscientist and psychiatrist who pioneered the development of medications for alcohol abuse and invented the patents covering AD04. His extensive research in the neuropsychopharmacology of addictions provides the scientific foundation for the company. William B. Stilley, who has served as CEO since the company's inception, brings a background in business, finance, and prior experience in the life sciences sector, including managing clinical trials and M&A transactions. His journey into biotech was driven by a desire to develop products that create significant human value. This blend of deep scientific expertise and seasoned business leadership guides the company's strategy.

Adial's core business revolves around the development and future commercialization of its lead product candidate, AD04, a therapeutic agent for treating Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). The company operates in the biopharmaceutical market, targeting a significant unmet medical need. Its business model is centered on obtaining regulatory approval for AD04 and then generating revenue through pharmaceutical product sales. The company’s strategy involves partnering with academic institutions for clinical trials and potentially forming strategic licensing partnerships with larger pharmaceutical companies. Adial's lead investigational drug, AD04, is a genetically targeted, selective serotonin-3 (5-HT3) antagonist designed to reduce the craving for alcohol. The therapy is intended for patients with specific genetic markers, which are identified using a proprietary companion diagnostic genetic test. This personalized medicine approach reframes AUD as a treatable genetic condition, potentially reducing stigma and increasing patient acceptance. Post-hoc analysis of clinical trials showed that AD04 significantly reduced heavy drinking days in the targeted patient population with a safety profile comparable to a placebo. The oral, twice-daily tablet is non-addictive and aims to allow for the management of heavy drinking rather than requiring complete abstinence, a major hurdle for many patients.

Keywords: Adial Pharmaceuticals, AD04, Alcohol Use Disorder, AUD treatment, personalized medicine, genetic testing, serotonin-3 antagonist, addiction therapy, biopharmaceutical, clinical-stage, Bankole Johnson, William Stilley, pharmacogenetics, companion diagnostic, reduce alcohol craving, heavy drinking, NASDAQ:ADIL, addiction treatment, neuropharmacology, clinical trials