Pharmaleads' Lead Candidate For Neuropathic Pain, PL37, Enters Phase I

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Pharmaleads' Lead Candidate For Pain, PL37, Enters Phase I

http://news.biocompare.com/newsstory.asp?id=247128

Neuropathic pain is a major chronic pain condition, with an estimated

prevalence in the world's population of up to 6%, according to the

most recent surveys, with many causes such as shingles, herpes,

diabetes, antiviral or antitumor chemotherapy surgery, or low back

disorders. Neuropathic pain does not respond well to usual

painkillers. Worldwide market for neuropathic pain is estimated to

reach 5 billion USD by 2010.

This compound originates from the work of Pharmaleads' chief

scientists, Professors Bernard P. Roques and Marie-Claude Fournie-

Zaluski, and is a dual inhibitor of both enzymes responsible for the

rapid degradation of enkephalins, the endogenous opiates. It

therefore elicits an analgesic effect wherever enkephalins are

produced as a response to a painful stimulus, and maintains a high

level of these natural analgesic substances by preventing their rapid

degradation.

According to Thierry Bourbie, Chairman and CEO of Pharmaleads, " PL37

is Pharmaleads' first compound to enter clinical development and the

first representative of a totally new class of painkillers, hence

confirming the validity of our science and chemistry, as well as our

capabilities as a drug development company. Neuropathic pain remains

poorly treated and there is an urgent need to develop and bring to

patients and doctors a specific oral treatment that would be really

active and well tolerated. This looks very promising. "

Bernard P. Roques, Vice-President and CSO of Pharmaleads

explains: " The inhibition of both enzymes, responsible for the

inactivation, in the body, of naturally present opiates, enhances

their analgesic properties. PL37 physiological action in all areas

where pain is present leads to very promising properties in

peripheral neuropathic disorders. "

Michel Wurm, M.D., Director of Corporate Development at Pharmaleads

stated: " Pre-clinical studies have demonstrated the safety and

efficacy of PL37 across all known models for neuropathic pain. The

bioavailability of this oral compound is remarkable, as is its safety

margin. We hope to complete Phase I in less than a year, including

early pharmacodynamic testing in healthy volunteers. "

The pre-clinical program was financed with the support of OSEO, the

French Public Research Financing Institution.