Zalicus Publishes Data on Sodium Channel Compound in Pain Models
-- New Paper Published in PAIN Reports Preclinical Efficacy of Z212,
a Novel Sodium Channel Blocker to Reduce Neuropathic Pain- -- Zalicus Platform Generating Pipeline of Orally Available Compounds
Targeting N-type and T-type Calcium Channels and Selected Sodium
Channels Involved in Chronic Pain--
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Feb 25, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
Zalicus Inc. (NASDAQ: ZLCS) today announced the publication of
preclinical data in the journal PAIN. The paper describes the activity
of Z212, a novel proprietary small organic compound that acts to
modulate Nav1.7 and Nav1.8 sodium channels and to reduce neuropathic
pain by targeting the hyper-excitability associated with chronic pain
signaling pathways. Through its unique mechanism of action, Z212 has
been shown to both reduce the excitability of neurons and reverse pain
hypersensitivity in preclinical models. Zalicus is utilizing its ion
channel discovery platform and scientific expertise to develop a
pipeline of novel, orally active compounds targeting critical N-type and
T-type calcium and selected sodium channels implicated in chronic pain.
Zalicus's most advanced preclinical ion channel product candidate, Z944,
a novel T-type calcium channel blocker, has been selected to advance
into IND-enabling toxicology studies prior to the initiation of a Phase
1 study in 2011. Z212 and multiple other preclinical compounds have been
identified and are being evaluated for additional clinical starts in
2011.
In the paper entitled, "A novel slow-inactivation-specific ion channel
modulator attenuates neuropathic pain," Hildebrand et al., PAIN (2011),
pre-published online (doi:10.1016/j.pain.2010.12.035), Zalicus
researchers describe the design, synthesis and activity of the unique
sodium channel pain blocking compound Z212 to preferentially attenuate
hyperexcitable neurons while largely sparing normally firing neurons.
"By targeting the sodium channels in the peripheral and central
nociceptive signaling pathways through its unique mechanism of action,
Z212 has the potential to become a safe and effective treatment for
chronic inflammatory and neuropathic pain," commented Mark H.N.
Corrigan, MD, President and CEO of Zalicus. "With the addition of
selected sodium channel targets to its screening platform Zalicus
continues to utilize its considerable expertise in ion channels to
develop a pipeline of novel, orally available agents that address these
attractive targets for pain intervention."
Improved Calcium and Sodium Channel Blockers through
Electrophysiological Screening
Our industry leading selective ion channel modulation platform allows us
to identify product candidates that harness the potential of targeting
calcium and sodium channels for acute and chronic pain.Zalicus
utilizes proprietary drug design and electrophysiological screening
processes to create drug candidates with improved levels of specificity
and mechanisms of action, potentially leading to greatly enhanced safety
and tolerability profiles compared to existing agents. Building on this
work, we are currently pursuing programs at developing N-type and T-type
calcium channels and selected sodium channel blockers.
About Zalicus
Zalicus Inc. (NASDAQ: ZLCS) is a biopharmaceutical company that
discovers and develops novel treatments for patients suffering from pain
and immuno-inflammatory diseases. Zalicus applies its selective Ion
channel modulation platform and its combination high throughput
screening capabilities to discover innovative therapeutics for itself
and its collaborators in the areas of pain, inflammation, oncology and
infectious disease. To learn more about Zalicus, please visit www.zalicus.com.
Forward-Looking Statement:
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
concerning Zalicus, the product candidates Z944 and Z212, Zalicus's
selective Ion channel modulation program, its cHTS combination drug
discovery technology and Zalicus's other business plans. These
forward-looking statements about future expectations, plans, objectives
and prospects of Zalicus may be identified by words like "believe,"
"expect," "may," "will," "should," "seek," or "could" and similar
expressions and involve significant risks, uncertainties and
assumptions, including risks related to the development and regulatory
approval of Zalicus's product candidates, the unproven nature of the
Zalicus drug discovery technologies, the ability of the Company or its
collaboration partners to initiate and successfully complete clinical
trials of its product candidates, the Company's ability to obtain
additional financing or funding for its research and development and
those other risks that can be found in the "Risk Factors" section of
Zalicus's annual report on Form 10-K on file with the Securities and
Exchange Commission and the other reports that Zalicus periodically
files with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may
differ materially from those Zalicus contemplated by these
forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect
management's current views and Zalicus does not undertake to update any
of these forward-looking statements to reflect a change in its views or
events or circumstances that occur after the date of this release except
as required by law.
