|
NeuroSearch presents remarkable findings from the company’s extensive portfolio of ion channel modulators in neuropathic pain
20 November 2008 - Press release
PDF version
- At the 38th Annual Meeting of the Society for NeuroScience
NeuroSearch announces the presentation of outstanding preclinical data from the company’s extensive drug discovery programmes in the field of GABA modulators and neuronal nicotinic receptor modulators (NNR modulators) for the treatment of neuropathic pain. The findings have been presented at the 38th Annual Meeting of the Society for NeuroScience (SfN), held this week from 15th – 19th November in Washington DC, United States, putting NeuroSearch at the forefront of the quest to find new and better analgesic drugs.
In the GABA field, NeuroSearch scientists have discovered that subtype selective GABA receptor modulators, exemplified by the compound NS11394, completely reverse inflammatory and neuropathic pain-like behaviours in animal models after oral administration. These findings are remarkable, since similar compounds, acting on the GABA ion channel complex without subtype selectivity, have shown either no effect, or poor analgesic effects that are severely compromised by significant side effects including sedation and motor disturbance. In contrast, NeuroSearch’s subtype selective GABA modulators are very well tolerated.
In the nicotinic field, NeuroSearch together with its collaborator Abbott has developed several subtype selective compounds including ABT-894 for the treatment of neuropathic pain. The first published preclinical efficacy data for ABT-894 concludes that the increased subtype selectivity of ABT-894 translates to efficacy in multiple models of neuropathic pain and cognition, with an improved therapeutic index in relation to emesis and CNS-mediated side effects. Importantly, whereas analgesic efficacy of ABT-894 is maintained after repeated dosing, CNS side effects disappear. Abbott currently has ABT-894 in Phase IIb clinical development in neuropathic pain as well as in ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). In the Phase IIb study in pain, patient enrolment has been completed.
Jørgen Drejer, Executive Vice President and Director of Drug Discovery in NeuroSearch comments:
“These remarkable data on selected compounds from our ion channel programmes presented at the SfN meeting addresses wholly new concepts of pain management. Both our GABA and our NNR modulators provide potentially higher efficacy and safety compared to existing neuropathic pain therapy, thus representing new major opportunities in this vast and growing medicinal market in dire need of better treatment.”
Selected presentations on NeuroSearch ion channel compounds at SfN 2008:
- The subtype selective GABAA receptor positive modulator NS11394 reverses inflammatory and neuropathic pain like behaviours in animal models of injury-induced central sensitisation. Munro et al.
- NS11394, a unique subtype-selective GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulator: In vitro actions, pharmacokinetic properties and in-vivo anxiolytic efficacy. Mirza et al.
- ABT-894, a novel neuronal nicotinic receptor (NNR) agonist exhibiting enhanced selectivity for the a4b2 subtype. Surowy et al.
- ABT-894, a neuronal nicotinic receptor (NNR) agonist, with an improved therapeutic window in preclinical models of neuropathic pain vs. gastrointestinal (GI) and CNS side effects. Reueter et al.
Contact persons:
Jørgen Drejer, Executive Vice President, Director of Drug Discovery, telephone: +45 4460 8236 or +45 2028 9705
Hanne Leth Hillman Vice President, Director of IR & Corporate Communications, telephone: +45 4460 8212 or +45 4017 5103
Facts on neuropathic pain
Neuropathic pain is a type of chronic pain caused by nerve cell damage associated with trauma and other injuries, surgery, viral infection, CNS and metabolic disorders (mainly diabetes), chemotherapy and tumour infiltration. Hence, sub-indications of neuropathic pain include the following; neuropathic back pain, fibromyalgia, diabetic neuropathy, neuropathic cancer pain, complex regional pain syndrome, HIV/AIDS neuropathy, post-herpetic neuralgia, phantom limb pain, spinal cord injury and trigeminal neuralgia.
Between 1.5 percent and 7.7 percent of people are believed to be affected by neuropathic pain in the United States and in European countries, respectively. E.g. there are an estimated 3.5 million people in Germany (6%) and 3 million in the United Kingdom (7.5%) suffering from neuropathic pain. However, it is a syndrome that often is under-diagnosed and under-treated.
Nerve pain frequently results in a burning, tingling and shock-like sensation and it is a condition often puzzling and frustrating for patients and physicians, as it seems to respond poorly to standard pain therapies. Neuropathic pain can also can last indefinitely, escalate over time and result in disability. The symptoms of neuropathic pain can be mild to incapacitating and are often progressive. Treatments may include antidepressants, opioids, NSAIDs and anticonvulsants, however, only a few are approved for the treatment of neuropathic pain, and significant unmet needs remain.
|
