NicOx receives acceptance of naproxcinod as generic name for inflammatory pain drug HCT 3012

By E. Janene Geiss

Philadelphia, June 19 - NicOx SA announced Monday that the World Health Organization has accepted the international generic name naproxcinod for the molecule previously referred to as HCT 3012.

Naproxcinod is the first product in a new class of molecules known as COX-inhibiting nitric oxide-donators, or Cinods, which represent an innovative approach to the treatment of inflammatory pain, according to a company news release.

Cinods are proprietary new chemical entities, which are cleaved in the body to yield two complementary pharmacologically active ligands, a nitric oxide-donating moiety and a balanced COX-1/COX-2 inhibiting non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent (Nsaid), officials said.

Naproxcinod is in phase 3 clinical development for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis with results of the first phase 3 trial expected in the fourth quarter of 2006.

The new generic name, naproxcinod, reflects the product's innovative multiple-ligand approach, which allows it to benefit from the gold standard anti-inflammatory activity of naproxen allied with the beneficial cardiovascular and gastro-intestinal effects of nitric oxide, officials said.

Nsaids represent the current standard treatment for millions of patients with osteoarthritis and other common conditions involving chronic pain and inflammation, but are associated with undesirable side effects, such as raised blood pressure and gastrointestinal discomfort.

NicOx said it is positioning naproxcinod as the drug-of-choice for osteoarthritis patients, particularly for those with co-morbid hypertension, based on its equivalent efficacy to existing Nsaids and improved side effect profile.

NicOx is a Sophia-Antipolis, France, biopharmaceutical company.

© 2015 Prospect News.
All content on this website is protected by copyright law in the U.S. and elsewhere. For the use of the person downloading only.
Redistribution and copying are prohibited by law without written permission in advance from Prospect News.
Redistribution or copying includes e-mailing, printing multiple copies or any other form of reproduction.