NeurogesX, Inc. was founded in 1998 by Dr. Wendye Robbins and others to develop innovative therapies for the treatment of neuropathic pain. At that time, available treatments provided only partial pain relief and were associated with unwanted side effects. Dr. Robbins, a board-certified anesthesiologist and pain specialist currently on the faculty at Stanford University, had experimented with high concentrations of capsaicin to treat a variety of neuropathic pain conditions.
NeurogesX is focused on developing and commercializing novel pain management therapies, with a portfolio of pain management product candidates and innovative new therapies. Since inception, NeurogesX has grown into a full-fledged commercial biopharmaceutical company, with its lead product Qutenza® (capsaicin) 8% patch approved in both the United States and European Union. Qutenza is available in the United States and is being marketed by NeurogesX’s own sales team. In Europe, Qutenza is marketed by Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd., (Astellas) the European Subsidiary of Tokyo-based Astellas Pharma, Inc. NeurogesX has assembled an experienced management team of scientific, medical, technical operations, regulatory, financial, and commercial personnel.
NeurogesX® is a San Francisco Bay Area-based biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel pain management therapies. NeurogesX was founded on the concept that the use of prescription strength capsaicin could help manage the pain associated with neuropathic pain conditions. Since its inception, NeurogesX has leveraged its passion to help people with pain to efficiently develop this concept and is now poised to bring its lead product to patients and physicians. In addition, we continue to apply our knowledge and expertise in the development of novel treatments for pain.
Our lead product, Qutenza® (capsaicin) 8% patch, is a dermal delivery system containing a prescription strength capsaicin. Qutenza was approved by the in U.S. Food and Drug Administration in November 2009 and by the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) in May 2009.
In addition to Qutenza, we are developing NGX-1998, a non-patch liquid formulation of the same active ingredient (capsaicin) used in Qutenza. NGX-1998 is being designed to treat certain neuropathic pain conditions such as postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) and has completed three Phase 1 studies.
Our pre-clinical pipeline consists of two pro-drug programs in which we modify the chemical make-up of well known, currently used drugs to improve their safety, efficacy and/or potential usefulness in the treatment of pain. We are currently seeking development partners for these programs.
Pain Information
The simple definition of pain is an unpleasant sensation in a specific area of the body. It can ache, stab, pinch, burn, tingle, or throb. It can come and go, stop suddenly, or last for years. It may be caused by an injury, infection, disease, or undetermined factors. Sometimes pain can come from nerves that have been injured or diseased, this is referred to as neuropathic pain.
Effective and safe medications are difficult to develop because neuropathic pain is a complex condition, often involving both the peripheral and central nervous system . In addition, inherent shortcomings in animal research models of neuropathic pain give us an incomplete understanding of the multiple mechanisms underlying its pathophysiology.
People with neuropathic pain are often prescribed multiple medications (polypharmacy) with the understanding that pain relief will be incomplete and quality of life may not be restored. Limitations associated with current medications commonly used to treat neuropathic pain include frequent dosing, undesirable systemic side effects, and unsatisfactory relief. In one study, 81% of elderly patients with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) reported that they were unsatisfied with their therapy.1
There remains an unmet need for a therapeutic option that specifically provides sustained relief for neuropathic pain while minimizing potential systemic side effects and drug-drug interactions. NeurogesX is focused on addressing this problem.
