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- $7 billion estimated existing market for pain treatments

- Specialising in diseases of nerve injury, drug targets to reduce pain and speed up nerve regeneration

Overview

NeuroTargets was founded by ANGLE in 1999 to commercialise original research carried out by a Bristol University team led by Professor David Wynick.

Background

NeuroTargets’ business model focuses on the co-development of novel therapeutic products with innovative mechanisms of action related to nerve injury.  More than 100 different types of peripheral neuropathy have been identified, most of which are associated with neuropathic pain.  Fifty per cent of diabetics have some degree of chronic neuropathic pain secondary to neuropathy.  Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is the most common and difficult to treat diabetic complication accounting for more hospitalisations than all other diabetic complications combined, and responsible for 50-70% of non-traumatic amputations.  Diabetes rates worldwide are expected to double from 171 million in 2000 to 366 million by 2030 (American Diabetes Association).

Market opportunity

The existing global market for treatments targeted at nerve injury and pain is worth in the region of $7 billion with strong growth forecast in the sector.

Current status

NeuroTargets’ research work has identified numerous gene targets that appear to be important for pain and has validated a number of these promising drug targets.  The most advanced projects relate to the small GTP-binding protein Rho and the neuropeptide galanin – a peptide involved in the repair of the peripheral nervous system following injury. Galanin also acts to protect the central nervous system following stroke or disease. Gal-R2 has been identified by NeuroTargets as responsible for reducing pain, speeding up nerve regeneration and protecting the brain from injury.
The co-development strategy involves sharing the cost of lead generation, pre-clinical and early clinical development phases and in return the parties share rights to future milestone payments and royalties. This approach allows NeuroTargets to leverage its expertise in the identification and validation of drug targets, and pharmacological screening, in exchange for the partners’ chemistry competence, and means the Company can limit costs.
NeuroTargets’overall development programme has now reached the point where it requires significant additional funding to take it into clinical trials.  Several options are currently being pursued which  would deliver the financial support NeuroTargets is seeking but this is not yet in place.

Website: www.neurotargets.co.uk

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