Obsessive–compulsive disorder
A form of psychotherapy called "cognitive behavioral therapy" (CBT) and psychotropic medications are first-line treatments for OCD. Other forms of psychotherapy, such as psychodynamic and psychoanalysis may help in managing some aspects of the disorder, but in 2007 the American Psychiatric Association (APA) noted a lack of controlled studies showing their effectiveness "in dealing with the core symptoms of OCD". The fact that many individuals do not seek treatment may be due in part to stigma associated with OCD.
Besipirdine
Besipirdine was first considered for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Hoechst-Roussel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Hoecst AG) filed a patent in July 1993 protecting the use of N-(pyridinyl)-1H-indol-1-amines, including besipirdine, for the treatment of OCD, supported by preliminary data gathered from rat studies . In 1995, Hoechst AG filed a patent protecting the production of besipirdine, this time describing its memory-enhancing, analgetic and antidepressant qualities . With increasing research on besipirdine uncovering its effects on the cholinergic system, Hoechst AG filed a patent in the following year to protect substituted n-(pyrrol-1-yl)pyridinamines as anticonvulsant agents
. In the midst of Phase II clinical studies of besipirdine in Alzheimer's disease, Hoechst AG merged with Rhône-Poulenc S.A. to form Aventis Pharma Limited. Under the new company Aventis, besipirdine ultimately failed in Phase III clinical trials due to severe cardiovascular side effects observed in a few patients in separate studies. In January 2004, UroGene acquired exclusive development and commercialization rights to besipirdine from Aventis in order to study its application in urology
. In February 2007, UroGene filed its own patent protecting the crystal form of besipirdine chlorhydrate, its production process, and its applications in the pharmaceutical field. The drug is currently undergoing Phase III development for treatment of Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunctions