Icagen files IND for epilepsy treatment compound

The company says ICA-105665 is an activator of subtypes of KCNQ ion channels, which are attractive targets for the treatment of epilepsy based on their function and genetic linkage to a seizure disorder.

In preclinical studies ICA-105665 was active in animal models predictive of efficacy for the treatment of partial seizures, generalized seizures and treatment-resistant seizures. In addition, the compound has also been shown to have activity in models of neuropathic and inflammatory pain.

“KCNQ channels are particularly promising targets for the treatment of epilepsy, and, provided that our IND is accepted, we believe that ICA-105665 will be the only compound selective for KCNQ channels currently in clinical development,” commented Seth Hetherington, SVP of clinical development and regulatory affairs at Icagen.

ICA-105665 will be administered orally and is intended to be developed as a chronic therapy for patients with epilepsy. Provided that the IND is accepted, during the third quarter of 2007 Icagen plans to initiate a Phase I clinical trial, which will be a double-blind, placebo controlled study conducted in healthy male volunteers to assess the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of the compound.