URB937 is in development for treatment of chronic neuropathic pain, an indication that affects 7-10% of the general population. Current treatments provide relief for less than 50% of chronic neuropathic pain patients and they often experience reduced quality of life due significant pain and disability. Exxel Pharma is positioning the URB937 drug as a safe, non-addictive alternative to current medications, including opiates, which show limited effectiveness in managing chronic neuropathic pain. The neuropathic pain market is estimated to reach $3.6 billion by 2020 (Nature Reviews). The company is exploring additional clinical indications for commercialization.
The URB937 drug is a small molecule, peripheral inhibitor of the enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH; IC50=26.8 nM). The FAAH enzyme breaks down the naturally occurring endocannabinoid anandamide, and inhibition of FAAH by URB937 results in elevated anandamide levels and increased cannabinoid receptor signaling. The drug has profound analgesic effects in a variety of animal models of nociceptive, inflammatory and neurogenic pain, indicating it will have broad clinical application and commercial potential. Importantly, the drug does not penetrate the blood-brain barrier and therefore exerts its action only in peripheral tissues. This feature differentiates URB937 from any other FAAH inhibitors currently in development, and significantly enhances the analgesic effects of the drug compared to global FAAH inhibitors. Furthermore, in one pain model, URB937 was more efficacious and longer lasting than optimal dosing with morphine, indomethacin (an NSAID) and the anticonvulsant gabapentin. At the same time, URB937 produced none of the side effects associated with these commonly used analgesics.
The URB937 drug is excluded from the brain by a transporter with a pharmacology resembling BCRP, but is free to act on peripheral FAAH. The site of analgesic action is most likely peripheral pain-sensing nerve endings (red circle). Expanded red circle shows the predicted molecular mechanism of drug action, inhibition of FAAH-catalyzed metabolism of anandamide (AEA), which allows for persistent AEA activation of peripheral CB1 receptors on peripheral nerve endings. Activation of CB1 receptors ultimately reduces transmission of pain signals to the spinal cord, preventing pain sensation (Modified from Nature Neuroscience).
Based on preclinical efficacy data, mechanism of action and a significant unmet medical need, Exxel Pharma is developing URB937 as a transformative therapy for non-addictive management of chronic neuropathic pain. The clinical lead indication is Chronic Neuropathic Pain of Peripheral Neuropathy, representing a market that has been estimated to reach $3.6 billion by 2020 (Nature Reviews), and which is ripe for disruption by novel, safe, non-addictive therapies such as URB937.
A list of published, peer-reviewed URB937 studies, including work from international, academic research laboratories, can be found here.
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