The FINANCIAL — Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. and Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc.on April 2 announced that the first patient has been enrolled into the Phase 2b study designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the novel topically applied TV-45070, (4% and 8% w/w ointment) in patients with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN).
TV-45070 is a small molecule inhibitor of the sodium channel Nav1.7 and other sodium channels, including those that are expressed in the pain-sensing peripheral nervous system. It is being developed for the treatment of patients with various pain indications, including neuropathic and osteoarthritis pain, according to Teva Pharmaceutical.
“Postherpetic neuralgia leaves patients with lasting and very painful sensations that seriously impact the ability to function. It is often highly refractory to existing treatments and there is a significant need for new treatment options,” said Dr. Jon Isaacsohn, Teva’s Chief Medical Officer. “The field of pain management in general is in need of new options. Teva is making advances with a range of innovative new treatments that will hopefully improve the lives of millions of people suffering from pain caused by debilitating conditions such as PHN and osteoarthritis.”
“The initiation of this TV-45070 Phase 2b clinical trial is an important step on the way to fully understanding the potential for Nav1.7 inhibition in relieving patients from the suffering caused by neuropathic pain. This trial, together with the ongoing study in osteoarthritis pain, from which we expect results later this year, should give us a better indication of the value of this novel approach to pain management,” said Dr. Simon Pimstone, Xenon’s President and Chief Executive Officer.
The Phase 2b clinical study in PHN is a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled, multi-site study that will evaluate the safety and efficacy of topically applied TV-45070 ointment compared with placebo.
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