Saturday, August 24, 2013

BioLineRx announced in-licensing of the compound BL-1110 for the treatment of neuropathic pain

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BioLineRx announced in-licensing of the compound BL-1110 for the treatment of neuropathic pain -

BioLineRx Ltd. (NASDAQ: BLRX) (TASE: BLRX), a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the clinical stage identification, licensing and development of promising therapeutic candidates, announced today that it has under BL-1110 license a new compound for the treatment of neuropathic pain. BL-1110 can also be developed for the treatment of scleroderma, autoimmune disease characterized by hardening and tightening of the skin and connective tissues. The compound, which had previously been developed in the early development program BioLineRx as the EDP-34, was licensed from the University of Colorado.

Neuropathic pain is caused by injury or diseases affecting the nervous system and usually does not respond well to regular analgesics. One of the most effective drugs for the treatment of neuropathic pain is morphine; However, its effectiveness is often limited due significantly to the development of the body's tolerance to the drug, and its severe side effects. Morphine can create neuroinflammation in the central nervous system, which has been linked to the suppression of morphine analgesia and improve tolerance induced by morphine, addiction and reward associated with drug abuse. Recent studies show some of these neuroinflammatory effects are triggered by the interaction of morphine with glial cells, which are widespread in the central nervous system. BL-1110 was invented by Professor Linda R. Watkins of Psychology and Department of Neuroscience and Professor Hubert Yin Hang Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry - both from the University of Colorado at Boulder, blocks the interaction of glial cells with morphine, increasing the analgesic effect of morphine and the reduction of concomitant adverse effects and inflammatory processes.

BL-1110 is a small molecule that targets the TLR4 / MD-2 complex formation of a critical, thereby preventing binding of the morphine in the TLR4 receptor in glial cells. BL-1110 is administered orally, as well as morphine or other opioids. In preclinical studies in rats, BL-1110 has been shown to enhance the effects of morphine. In addition, studies show the drug penetrates the blood-brain barrier and reaches the central nervous system with high efficiency, it is safe to use and does not cause undesirable effects at doses much higher than the effective dose.

"BL-1110 works through a novel mechanism of action, based on our recent discovery that opioids, like morphine, cause the activation of glial cells. The result of this glial activation the release of pro-inflammatory factors that suppress neuronal analgesic effect induced by opioid desired, thus reducing the effectiveness of the opioid. Furthermore, evidence suggests that glial activation contributes to the development of opioid tolerance , dependence and abuse, "said Professor Hubert Yin hang." so we are hopeful that BL-1110 will be an invaluable companion for opioid therapies, improving their efficiency and reduce their negative side effects. "

"Neuropathic pain is a major health problem affecting millions of people's quality of life throughout the world on a daily basis. Despite its widespread presence, it is notoriously difficult to treat. opioids, such as morphine, are a powerful option for the treatment of neuropathic pain, but they are not generally used as first because of the considerable risk line treatment of unwanted side effects, tolerance and dependence .

BL-1110 has the potential to reduce tolerance of morphine and side effects while improving the analgesic effect. this drug could offer a breakthrough for the treatment of this difficult and persistent pathology. We are very happy to license the drug and continue its development, "said Dr. Kinneret Savitsky the CEO BioLineRx.


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