NeuroPerspective

the April issue of NeuroPerspective reviews and assesses migraine therapeutics in development.  Migraine is the most common of all neurological disorders. Based on epidemiological studies done in the US and Europe during the 1990s, approximately 12.6% of the population experiences migraine in a given year, with 18% suffering from migraine at some point in their lifetimes. It is estimated that there are 36 million active migraine sufferers in the US alone. Over three million Americans suffer migraines once per week or more, and the toll that this takes on their ability to function leads to a societal cost that has been estimated at $20 billion, with $1 billion attributable to ER visits alone.

As NeuroPerspective publisher Harry Tracy PhD notes: “For all the ubiquity of triptans and the seeming saturation of the market, the migraine pharmacopoeia is flawed, and a substantial proportion of migraine patients do not consistently utilize the current menu. When approved, it will be fascinating to watch what Allergan’s Botox sales team can do with Levadex, but that is not an option for prophylaxis. In terms of the oral therapy segment, we expect that Depomed will fare well with Cambia, as an option for patients who do not like triptans or ergotamines. It is in non-oral prophylaxis that the most dramatic advances in migraine treatment are occurring. The prospect of long-lasting migraine prevention by the non-oral CGRP therapeutics in development by Labrys, Alder, Lilly/Artaeus, Amgen, and Noxxon, is the kind of development that could reframe the treatment paradigm for chronic and near-chronic migraine.  ”

The April issue also discusses the politicization of Zogenix‘s Zohydro; Prana Biotechnology‘s failure in Alzheimer’s; and the flaws in Phase III design and execution that have made pivotal testing overly complex, hugely expensive, and far less illuminating than it should be. The issue also includes an overview of Depomed in the Company Spotlight section.