Roche Licenses P2X31 To Afferent

Roche has licensed its P2X31 receptor program aimed at developing treatments for chronic pain to Afferent Pharmaceuticals (Afferent). In conjunction with the announcement, Afferent has successfully closed a $23m Series A financing. Proceeds from the financing will be used to accelerate the development of P2X3 receptor targeted pain therapies.

Anthony Ford, co-founder of Afferent, said: “Research shows that P2X3-containing receptors are specific to nerve fibers that transmit the sensations of pain and discomfort in response to inflammation or injury, particularly in chronic conditions. P2X3 antagonism represents a breakthrough and potentially transformative approach to treating chronic pain associated with conditions such as osteoarthritis, back pain, visceral pain and neuropathy.

“Our preclinical and clinical data on this program suggest a very compelling first-in-class, orally delivered product, and we look forward to initiating clinical trials to test the safety and efficacy of the lead product candidate, AF-219, in several indications early in 2010.”