Zalicus Reports Positive Results Of Z944 Phase 1b Clinical Study In Pain

(RTTNews) - Zalicus Inc. (ZLCS) announced positive results of a Phase 1b clinical study with Z944, a novel oral T-type calcium channel modulator in development for the treatment of pain.

The Phase 1b study is an experimental clinical model utilizing Laser-Evoked-Potentials or LEP to provide both objective and subjective assessments of the activity of Z944 in induced pain states.

This exploratory, double-blind placebo-controlled, randomized cross-over, Phase 1b clinical study enrolled 16 healthy volunteers and was conducted in a single center in Germany. The primary objective of the study was to compare the analgesic/anti-hyperalgesic properties of three different single doses of Z944 in a model of inflammatory pain and in a model of chronic neuropathic pain as compared with placebo.

The results of the Z944 Phase 1b LEP study results include: Statistically significant and meaningful reductions at each of the three doses compared to placebo of overall peak-to-peak (PtP) amplitude of LEPs in models of both inflammatory (p=0.0002) and neuropathic (p<0.05) pain. Consistent trends in reduction of subjective pain scores compared to placebo using a visual analog scale in both pain models.

Meaningful trends in effects based on dose and concentration, providing important insights into the potential therapeutic window and effective plasma concentrations of Z944. Z944 was generally well tolerated with dose dependent CNS side effects and no serious adverse events, the company noted.

In this study, hypersensitivity to laser thermal stimulation was induced by UV light exposure as a model of inflammatory pain and by topical capsaicin as a model of neuropathic pain.

The company said that based on the results, it is planning to advance a modified-release formulation of Z944 into Phase 2 clinical development in an appropriate pain indication in 2014. In addition, a second United States patent for Z944 (U.S. Patent number 8,569,344) covering methods of treating pain was issued on October 29, 2013, providing additional patent protection for Z944 in the United States until at least 2029.