Chronic Cough

Chronic cough is defined as cough lasting longer than 8 weeks in adults or 4 weeks in children. It is a common condition, estimated to affect 5% of the US population, and exerts significant social, physical and mental burdens on patients. Refractory chronic cough (RCC) is characterized as cough that persists despite treatment of the underlying conditions, such as asthma or gastroesophageal reflux disease. Unexplained chronic cough (UCC) is when no obvious or diagnosable underlying condition can be identified. RCC and UCC are associated with hypersensitivity in the peripheral nervous system and do not respond to over-the-counter treatments. Gabapentin, pregabalin, amitriptyline, and low-dose morphine are sometimes used off-label for treatment of chronic cough but with marginal effects and some safety concerns. Consequently, an urgent, unmet medical need exists. Exxel Pharma’s URB937 drug represents a new approach to managing the peripheral nervous system hypersensitivity driving UCC and RCC.

The global chronic cough market estimated to reach $11B by 2027 (Transparency Market Research).

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

PTSD is a disorder that some people develop after experiencing a shocking, scary or dangerous event. It is estimated that approximately 8 million Americans, or 3.5% of the population, suffer from PTSD at any given time. For veterans of the Vietnam War, the prevalence was estimated to ~30%, whereas estimates for veterans from recent wars (Gulf war, Operation Iraqi Freedom) range from 11-20%.

The disorder is thought to result from an imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory brain neurocircuitry, and treatments typically include psychotherapy and/or medication. There is no clinical evidence, however, that these treatments help. Thus, there is a significant unmet medical need for new therapeutics and the PTSD market is projected to reach $1.7 billion by 2019 (Research and Markets).