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.

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

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

FDA accepts Zingo (lidocaine) sNDA for needle associated pain

The FDA has accepted Anesiva’s sNDA for Zingo (lidocaine intradermal injection) for the treatment of pain associated with peripheral IV insertions and blood draws in adults. Zingo was approved in 2007 for local analgesia prior to peripheral IV insertions and blood draws in children.

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)

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