Marvel Biosciences Corp. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Marvel Biotechnology Inc. announced that it has successfully completed its 4-week good laboratory practice (GLP), FDA investigational new drug (IND), dose-ranging dog and rat studies for its lead drug candidate MB-204 paving the way for Phase 1 human trials to begin. MB-204 is a fluorinated derivative of the U.S. FDA-approved adenosine A2a receptor antagonist, Istradefylline.

Both Istradefylline and MB-204 are highly active derivatives of caffeine, the most widely consumed psychoactive drug in the world. caffeine consumption has been associated with a reduced risk of developing Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease and improved concentration.