RESEARCH MONOGRAPH · KDC-MN-057

CX-717

May 9, 2026 Kodiac biolabs Research Revised May 30, 2026 2 min read

Our opinion on this compound

59/100

Cortex's ADHD-targeted ampakine that almost made it, useful research tool with reasonable human exposure data

CX-717 is the Cortex ampakine that actually got to a serious clinical program. It was developed specifically for ADHD and sleep deprivation indications in the mid-2000s, and DARPA funded some of the cognitive performance work for military applications around the same time. The molecule has the same general benzoxazine scaffold as CX-546 and CX-614 with a methylsulfonyl modification that improved oral bioavailability and pharmacokinetics.

The interesting thing about CX-717 from a research-tool perspective is that it has the most human data of any compound in the CX-series. Phase 1 and 2 safety pharmacology was actually conducted, sleep deprivation studies were run, and the Wesensten and Killgore papers on cognitive performance under sleep restriction are publicly available. The signal in those studies was modest but real, and the safety profile through the trials it ran was clean enough.

The mechanism is the standard AMPA-PAM story, slower deactivation, sustained glutamatergic transmission, downstream effects on plasticity. The benzoxazine kinetics are similar to CX-546 but the pharmacokinetic improvements made it more tractable as a development candidate.

What we like: real human safety data (one of the few in this class), reasonable clinical pharmacology, sleep deprivation work that has actually been replicated, and the DARPA program documentation that's available adds an unusual amount of behavioral pharmacology context.

What we dont like: the FDA put a clinical hold on it in 2007 based on long-term primate toxicology findings, and while the hold was eventually lifted the program didnt advance to phase 3. The toxicology signal wasnt fully explained publicly and that opacity is annoying. Whether the chronic dosing concerns translate to research-scale use is unclear.

Sourcing is reasonable but limited. A handful of suppliers produce reference material, HPLC validation is standard, and the molecule is stable enough in dry storage. The methylsulfonyl group makes the chemistry slightly trickier than CX-546 but nothing unusual.

For research, CX-717 is probably the most useful ampakine if you care about human-relevant pharmacology and want a compound with actual safety data. The sleep deprivation literature is the strongest piece of the evidence base.

Evidence: 55
Mechanism: 70
Reliability: 65
Safety: 60
Sourcing: 55
Value: 55
Signal: 60
Staying power: 55

Plain-language summary Intrigue 52 / 100

CX-717 is a methylsulfonyl benzoxazine ampakine investigated for ADHD and respiratory depression. The respiratory application was based on AMPA-mediated stimulation of central respiratory networks. Not stocked by Kodiac. This monograph is provided for research and educational reference.

Intrigue 0–100 blends mechanism novelty, evidence strength, and translational potential. Kodiac editorial, not peer-reviewed.

Methylsulfonyl benzoxazine ampakine

A methylsulfonyl benzoxazine ampakine that advanced furthest of the CX-series in human trials, including military sleep deprivation studies.

Abstract

CX-717 (1-(N-methyl-N-methylsulfonyl-aminobenzoyl)pyrrolidine; CAS 412960-03-7) is a methylsulfonyl benzoxazine ampakine developed at Cortex Pharmaceuticals that advanced further in human trials than other CX-series compounds. The compound was studied by DARPA and the Department of Defense for cognitive performance maintenance during sleep deprivation in military personnel; published results showed modest but reproducible improvements in vigilance and working memory performance during 24- to 72-hour sleep deprivation. CX-717 was also studied for adult ADHD with partial Phase 2 results. The compound did not advance to FDA approval. Pharmacokinetics: plasma half-life approximately 3 to 4 hours; oral bioavailability adequate. The compound is sold as a research chemical with limited availability.

Mechanism of action

AMPA receptor positive allosteric modulator (methylsulfonyl benzoxazine class).

Reported research dose ranges

Reported research dose ranges in the trial literature span 100 to 1000 mg.

References

Wesensten NJ, et al. Ampakine (CX-717) effects on performance and alertness during simulated night shift work. Aviat Space Environ Med 2007.

Read the full monograph

The full reference document covers compound identification, discovery and developmental history, mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, reported research dose ranges, sourcing and quality verification, reconstitution and handling, stack interaction considerations, and a curated reference list. Available as a research-use-only PDF download.

KDC-MN-057

The full reference document is provided strictly for research use only. It reports research dose ranges from the published literature, not instructions for use in humans or animals.

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FOR RESEARCH USE ONLY. Not for medical, diagnostic, or therapeutic purposes. Not for human consumption. All information is provided for research and educational purposes only.

Kodiac sells research compounds for investigative use only.

CX-717

Abstract

Mechanism of action

Reported research dose ranges

References

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Abstract

Mechanism of action

Reported research dose ranges

References

Read the full monograph

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