Zalicus Initiates Phase 1 Multiple Ascending Dose Study with Z944, a Novel, Oral T-Type Calcium Channel Blocker
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul. 10, 2012--
Zalicus
Inc. (NASDAQ: ZLCS), a biopharmaceutical company that discovers and
develops novel treatments for patients suffering from pain and
immuno-inflammatory diseases, today announced that it is has initiated a
Phase 1 multiple ascending dose (MAD) clinical study with Z944, its
novel, oral, T-type calcium channel blocker. The initiation of this MAD
study follows the successfully completed Phase 1 single ascending dose
study in which Z944 was determined to be generally well-tolerated and a
maximum tolerated dose was achieved. Assuming Z944 successfully
completes the MAD study, Z944 could enter Phase 2 clinical development
in the first quarter of 2013.
“I am encouraged by the continued progress the Zalicus team is making in
advancing the development of our calcium channel blocker programs,
including Z944 our T-type calcium channel blocker and Z160, our N-type
calcium channel blocker which is poised to enter Phase 2a clinical
trials in neuropathic pain later in the third quarter of 2012,"
commented Mark H.N. Corrigan, MD, President and CEO of Zalicus.
About Z944 and T-type Calcium Channel Blockers
Z944, is a novel, oral, T-type calcium channel blocker that has
demonstrated preclinical efficacy in multiple inflammatory pain models.
A Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating the safety and tolerability of Z944
is ongoing. If Z944 successfully completes this Phase 1 clinical trial,
Zalicus is planning to advance Z944 into Phase 2 clinical development.
The wide distribution of T-type calcium channels found in brain, heart,
endocrine cells and other tissues provides the possibility of developing
therapeutics for multiple indications, including treatment of pain.
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 has a portfolio of proprietary
clinical-stage product candidates targeting pain and immuno-inflammatory
diseases and have entered into multiple revenue-generating
collaborations with large pharmaceutical companies relating to other
products, product candidates and drug discovery technologies. Zalicus
applies its expertise in the discovery and development of selective ion
channel modulators 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.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
concerning Zalicus, its product candidates Z944 and Z160, their
potential, and Zalicus’ plans for their clinical development. These
forward-looking statements about future expectations, plans, objectives
and prospects of Zalicus, Z944 and Z160 may be identified by words like
"believe," "expect," "may," "will," "should," "seek," “plan” or “could”
and similar expressions and involve significant risks, uncertainties and
assumptions, including risks related to the clinical development of Z944
and Z160, the unproven nature of the Zalicus Ion channel drug discovery
technology, 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' 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.
