Convergence Pharmaceuticals and Selcia in r&d collaboration

Published: 22-Nov-2010

Aim is to identify and develop high quality candidate molecules for the treatment of chronic pain


Convergence Pharmaceuticals, a new company focused on the development of novel and high value analgesic medicines, has entered into a drug discovery collaboration with contract research organisation Selcia to identify and develop high quality candidate molecules for the treatment of chronic pain.

Under the terms of the agreement, Convergence will apply its ion channel biology platform, medicinal chemistry know-how and preclinical development expertise to Selcia’s medicinal chemistry and chemistry support services. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Convergence Pharmaceuticals is an independent biotechnology company formed in October 2010 following the acquisition of certain neuroscience clinical assets from GlaxoSmithKline. The company, led by ceo Clive Dix, has a pipeline of differentiated clinical-stage compounds targeting the points of convergence in chronic pain signalling through modulation of specific ion-channels.

‘Following the successful launch of Convergence Pharmaceuticals with a $35m fund raising, this collaboration uniquely enables our goal of identifying novel, high quality, targeted molecules for the treatment of chronic pain,’ said Dr Ged Giblin, head of chemistry and preclinical development at Convergence ‘

‘Convergence has a team of highly experienced pain scientists in the field of ion-channel technology and medicinal chemistry and we look forward to maximising the capabilities of Selcia’s expert medicinal and synthetic chemists. We believe the combination of Convergence’s platform and Selcia’s bespoke approach will provide an innovative model for this drug discovery partnership in finding solutions for a major unmet clinical need.’

Selcia’s managing director, Dr Hans Fliri, added: ‘At Selcia we are focussed on providing solutions for problems in drug discovery and we have a proven track record of delivering both clinical candidates and added value to our partners’ research programmes. This venture is an exciting development in the area of pain research and we look forward to supporting the Convergence team in reaching their goals.’

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