Valeant and GSK complete wordlwide collaboration for retigabine

Valeant has closed on its exclusive worldwide collaboration agreement with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) for neuronal potassium channel opener retigabine, for the treatment of adult epilepsy patients with refractory partial onset seizures.  Valeant received an upfront payment of $125 million from GSK.

Senicapoc blocks KCa3.1 currents in mast cells

Data presented at the 15th International Inflammation Research Association Conference show Icagen’s KCa3.1 potassium ion channel inhibitor senicapoc to potently block KCa3.1 potassium currents in isolated human lung mast cells and reduce the migration of these cells when exposed to an inflammatory stimulus.

Icagen completes Phase I trial of KCa3.1 potassium ion channel senicapoc

Icagen have completed a Phase I  trial of KCa3.1 potassium ion channel senicapoc which has potential in the treatment of asthma. The drug was well tolerated at all doses tested and in preliminary analyses

Merck Serono license Bionomics Kv1.3 ion channel program

Merck Serono have signed a development and licensing agreement for Bionomics Kv1.3 program. Drug candidates have potential in the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis

Acordas Fampridine-SR shows efficacy in Multiple Sclerosis

Phase III data show that Acorda Therapeutic’s Potassium channel blocker Fampridine-SR improved walking ability in people with multiple sclerosis.

Pipex license Oral Flupirtine Patent from the McLean Hospital

Pipex have licensed the oral flupirtine (Effirma) Patent Estate from McLean Hopsital for Diabetes, Diabetic Retinopathy, Retinitis Pigmentosa and Glaucoma. Pipex had already licensed the flupirtine patents for fibromyalgia

Ion Channel Innovations report on gene therapy for erectile dysfunction

Ion Channel Innovation’s Gene therapy with the Maxi-K channel gene has been shown to be effective in the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED)

Phase III trial of Retigabine in Epilepsy complete

Phase III trials of Valeant’s neuronal potassium channel opener Retigabine in Epilepsy have been completed. The drug displayed efficacy at 600 and 900 mg doses. Valeant plan to file NDA and MAAs by the end of 2008

Icagen report on Ion Channel Progress

ICA-105665 KCNQ channel opener for epilepsy – Single ascending dose Phase I trial completed; multiple ascending dose Phase I initiated
Senicapoc for Asthma – Phase I trial initiated
Na and Ca channel Pain Program – Leads identified

Phase II trials for both projects expected in the second half of 2008