Press Release
NeurogesX Study Showing Single 1-Hour Dermal Application Results in 12 Weeks of Sustained Neuropathic Pain Reduction
Presented at the Neuropathic Pain Conference (NeuPSIG) in MadridSan Carlos, Calif. - May 14, 2004
NeurogesX, Inc. announced today the presentation of results from its multi-centered, double-blind controlled Phase II study and its open label extension study that together showed an average of 12 weeks of sustained neuropathic pain reduction in post-herpetic neuralgia patients from a single, one-hour dermal patch application of NeurogesX’s novel trans-capsaicin dermal delivery system, NGX-4010. These results were presented at the “Neuropathic Pain – Changing Paradigms in Diagnosis and Treatment” Conference (NeuPSIG) in Madrid, Spain, by Dr. Misha-Miroslav Backonja, Professor of Neurology, University of Wisconsin, a principal investigator for the studies.
The double-blind controlled study of NGX-4010 demonstrated that a single, one-hour application of a trans-capsaicin dermal patch provided a 33% reduction in average pain scores over the course of four weeks, compared to a 4% reduction with the control treatment. The objective of the open label extension study was to assess the reduction in pain beyond the four weeks demonstrated in the double-blind controlled trial, and to obtain data on the efficacy of repeated treatments. The results of the open label extension study show that the treatment effects seen in the double-blind controlled study are sustained for an average of 12 weeks. In addition, much longer pain relief, up to one year, has been seen in individual subjects. Repeated treatments provide similar decreases in pain intensity and have a comparable duration of action to the initial treatment. No safety or tolerability issues were identified in either study.
“The potential to provide significant pain reduction for a year by administering a one-hour topical treatment about once every 12 weeks without any significant safety issues is intriguing,” said Dr. Backonja. “We are looking forward to the results from two large, controlled Phase III trials that recently completed enrollment to confirm the findings from these studies.”
About NeurogesX
NeurogesX (neur-o-GEE-six) is a privately held specialty pharmaceutical company focusing on the development of novel treatments for improved relief of neuropathic pain and improved quality of life for neuropathic pain patients using advanced neuroscience insights and innovative delivery technologies. The company’s initial products are focused on the treatment of chronic and acute pain.
NeurogesX has raised approximately $65 million in total equity investments. Investors in NeurogesX include Alta Partners, ARCH Venture Partners, Diamond Capital Management, Global Life Science Ventures, Montreux Equity Partners, TIAA-CREFF (Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association), University of North Carolina, Walden International Venture Partners, and others. For more information about NeurogesX, go to www.neurogesx.com.
NeurogesX is a trademark of NeurogesX, Inc.
Contacts:
Anthony A. DiTonno
CEO and President
NeurogesX, Inc.
aditonno@neurogesx.com
650-508-2116
Stephen F Ghiglieri
CFO
NeurogesX, Inc.
sghiglieri@neurogesx.com
650-508-2116
Mike Jackman
Jackman Communications
mike@jackman.com
415-388-3216