In competition binding experiments on human recombinant mGlu5, Basimglurant (RG7090) fully displaces [3H]-MPEP with a Ki of 35.6 nM and [3H]-ABP688 with a Ki of 1.4 nM. In HEK293 cells stably expressing human mGlu5, Basimglurant (RG7090) inhibits quisqualate induced Ca2+ mobilization with an IC50 of 7.0 nM and [3H]-inositolphosphate accumulation (IC50 of 5.9 nM). Basimglurant shows similar potencies in radioligand binding and functional assay on human and rodent mGlu5 receptor orthologues[1].

Basimglurant is selective and safe inhibitor of mGlu5 with good oral bioavailability and long half-life supportive of once-daily administration, good brain penetration, and high in vivo potency. Basimglurant has antidepressant properties which are corroborated by its functional magnetic imaging (fMRI) profile, as well as anxiolytic-like and antinociceptive features[1].