Zalicus' Z160 Obtains Orphan Drug Designation For Management Of PHN

(RTTNews) - Zalicus Inc. (ZLCS) announced Friday that Z160, its first-in-class, oral, state-dependent, selective N-type calcium channel or Cav 2.2 modulator in development for chronic neuropathic pain has received Orphan Drug designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or FDA for the management of postherpetic neuralgia.

Postherpetic neuralgia or PHN is a painful neuropathic condition resulting from an outbreak of the herpes zoster virus, otherwise known as shingles.

The company announced it had completed patient enrollment in two Phase 2 clinical studies of Z160 for chronic neuropathic pain indications including postherpetic neuralgia and lumbosacral radiculopathy on September 3, 2013. Top-line results of both studies are expected in the fourth quarter of 2013.