Spinifex Pharmaceuticals has been doing steadily well of late. The company has developed an approach for the treatment of neuropathic pain, based on its angiotensin II type 2 receptor antagonist EMA401 product. This medication has had a recent successful phase II clinical trial.
Neuropathic pain is a chronic condition, associated with abnormal sensations termed dysesthesia or pain from normally non-painful stimuli (allodynia). This manifests as feelings of burning or coldness, together with a type of “pins and needles” sensation and itching. The nervous system condition can be triggered by diabetes or a vitamin B12 deficiency.
Neuropathic pain represents an untapped area for pharmaceuticals and medicine. Focusing on peripheral targets, such as angiotensin II type 2 receptor antagonists, represents a new and effective approach. Trials indicate that it avoids the side effects associated with other treatments, such as dizziness and confusion.
With the new product, EMA401, this is effective against postherpetic neuralgia, which is a painful condition that some people develop after they have had shingles.
Discussing the takeover with Zenopa, David Epstein, from Novartis Pharmaceuticals, is quoted as saying: “Neuropathic pain is a chronic and debilitating condition with high unmet need. EMA401 could provide a novel, differentiated treatment approach to provide relief for patients and healthcare providers worldwide.”
In other pharmaceutical industry news, Joseph Echevarria has become a director at Pfizer. He will focus on the audit, regulatory and compliance committees. Pfizer recently purchased two vaccine manufacturing subsidiaries from GlaxoSmithKline to extend its interest in this field. The companies are Nimenrix and Mencevax.
