By John Revill
ZURICH--Novartis AG (NOVN.VX) Monday said it had acquired an
Australian-U.S drug development company that develops treatments
for neuropathic pain, as the Swiss pharmaceutical giant adds to its
pipeline of potential new products.
Basel-based Novartis said it was buying privately-held Spinifex
Pharmaceuticals Inc. for an undisclosed sum. Spinifex, jointly
based in Melbourne and Stamford, Conn., develops drugs designed to
block neuropathic pain, a condition caused by nerve dysfunction
that affects up to 8% of adults.
Among Spinifex's projects under development is a compound called
EMA401, which is in Phase II testing. The compound is designed to
treat neuropathic pain without side effects to the central nervous
system, such as dizziness or confusion.
"EMA401 could provide a novel, differentiated treatment approach
to provide relief for patients and healthcare providers worldwide,"
David Epstein, who runs Novartis Pharmaceuticals, said in a
statement.
Write to John Revill at John.Revill@wsj.com
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