Inside This Issue: Neuropathic Pain
Top News Alerts: Product Updates, Deals & Financings
Featured Topic: Neuropathic pain syndromes and pipeline
Featured Company: Avanir Pgarmaceuticals
Subscribe now to access over 30 articles covering developments in drugs, devices and diagnostics for the brain and nervous system.
Market Highlights: Summer Brings Harsh Realities and Consolidation to Neurotech
Consolidation continued across the sector with private and public companies joining forces to make the most of cash, liquidity, and pipeline assets. Private company Arcion and public company Anesiva (ANSV) agreed to a merger which will result in a public company with a pipeline for treatment of chronic pain under Arcion’s name. The combined company plans to raise $20 million to close simultaneously with the merger in the third quarter of 2009 (see story, page 6). Neurogen (NRGN) which halted trials and announced plans to sell its assets in May is being acquired by Ligand Pharmaceuticals (LGND) for $11 million in stock as well as future potential cash payments(see story, page 9). MediciNova (MNOV) announced a definitive $37 million deal to acquire Avigen (AVGN) more than a year and a half after beginning talks (see story, page 9). Santhera Pharmaceuticals, a Swiss specialty pharmaceutical company with a focus on neuromuscular diseases, exercised an option to acquire Juvantia Pharma, a small Finnish company developing a drug for Parkinson’s dyskinesia (see story, page 8)...
Next Generation Neuropathic Pain Treatments
Neuropathic pain is caused by damage or dysfunction of the nervous system proper, as opposed to pain caused by tissue damage sensed by peripheral receptors. Neuropathic pain can originate in the peripheral nervous system, where it is often triggered by direct nerve injury, or in the central nervous system, where it may be caused by overt lesions such as stroke. Many cases are due to unknown or poorly understood causes.Neuropathic pain responds poorly to normal doses of conventional painkillers, even opioids. It used to be known as "non-opioid responsive pain." It has since been discovered, however, that higher opioid doses and special fast acting formulations can be very effective in these patients. Even so, adjuvants such as anti-depressants, anti-convulsants, baclofen, topical drugs, and neural stimulation are commonly prescribed for neuropathic pain. It is not well understood to what extent these therapies affect the pain perception proper or whether they instead relax the patient or remove underlying anxieties, thereby contributing to a more tolerable condition . This article outlines neuropathic pain syndromes, treatments and promising treatments in development ...
Avanir Gains Momentum as Investors Anticipate Zenvia Approval
Avanir Pharmaceuticals (AVNR) stock has been on a steep and steady rise since April, gaining over 300% in six months. The rise was related to anticipation and announcement of critical results this month which will determine, in large part, whether or not the FDA will approve their lead compound Zenvia. Recent restructuring and revenue from the sale of their marketed drug FazaClo has allowed the company to focus on progress of Zenvia, formerly known as Neurodex, for the treatment of pseudobulbar affect and neuropathic pain. We spoke with CEO Keith Katkin and CMO Randall Kaye about the latest results and plans for the future...
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