Abbott acquires treatment for chronic pain

Published: 13-Nov-2009

Abbott Laboratories is buying a treatment for chronic pain from Dutch antibody development company PanGenetics for as much as US$190m, which will expand its pain care portfolio.


Abbott Laboratories is buying a treatment for chronic pain from Dutch antibody development company PanGenetics for as much as US$190m, which will expand its pain care portfolio.

PanGenetics" PG110 is a humanised antibody to Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), currently in a Phase 1 clinical trial, that targets NGF for the treatment of chronic pain. NGF is released at sites of tissue damage and inflammation and plays a significant role in the transmission of pain signals by the central nervous system.

"The goal for treatment of chronic pain continues to be potent, long-lasting analgesia that is tolerable for patients without the potential for dependence and abuse," said John Leonard, senior vice president of global research and development at Abbott.

"NGF blockers have demonstrated the potential to address these needs, making them a promising treatment for chronic pain patients."

PG110 is currently being trialled in patients with osteoarthritis. If the Phase I trial is successful, Abbott anticipates testing it in chronic lower back pain, cancer pain and diabetic neuropathic pain.

This new NGF inhibitor complements Abbott's early-stage pipeline of candidates in development for chronic pain, which spans multiple mechanisms, including vanilloid cellular receptors (TRPV1), cannabinoid receptors (CB2), Histamine H3 receptors and preclinical work on a number of promising ion channel targets.

Abbott will make an upfront payment of US$170m to PanGenetics and milestone payments of up to US$20m.

The deal is expected to close before the end of the year.

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