The drug blocks the recently discovered clacitonin-gene related hormone receptor (CGRP), a vasodilator protein believed to be a key player in migraine.
Merck initiated the development of Telcagepant in 2007 but failed to obtain FDA approval, due to side effects associated with the drug’s liver metabolism.
Global Health Ventures president and CEO Hassan Salari said that the sublingual route helps the drug to reach the blood stream rapidly without major side effects associated with liver drug’s breakdown. Further, it helps the drug to reach its site of action by bypassing gastrointestinal breakdown and overall the drug initiates its action much rapidly due to the direct entry into blood.