Preclinical studies to begin on flupirtine for treating retinitis pigmentosa

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Adeona Pharmaceuticals and the National Neurovision Research Institute have entered into a research collaboration under which the NNRI will finance preclinical studies to evaluate the potential of flupirtine for treating retinitis pigmentosa, Adeona announced in a press release.

Oral flupirtine is a non-opiate analgesic that was approved as a pain treatment in Europe in 1984. To date, approximately 27 retinitis pigmentosa patients in Europe have taken flupirtine for up to 5 years. However, the drug has not yet been approved for any indication in the United States.

In these preclinical trials, which will be conducted at the NNRI Preclinical Assessment Center at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, flupirtine will be assessed in a number of established animal models with retinitis pigmentosa, according to the release. If the preclinical trials yield positive results, Adeona and the NNRI plan to consider proceeding to clinical trials using flupirtine in retinitis pigmentosa patients.

Earlier this year, Adeona obtained an option to license issued and pending patents covering flupirtine's use for treating ophthalmic disorders, including retinitis pigmentosa, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration.