The two-year research project, named ION, will centre on the development of an integrated system for high throughput screening (HTS) of molecules for ion channel targets for novel CNS therapies related to neurological and psychiatric disorders such as depression, neurodegeneration, epilepsy and pain.
Part of the research effort will be in ameliorating the multichannel recording system for high-throughput electrophysiology.
An important feature of ION is introducing a suite of new software tools able to accelerate the analysis of the experimental output and the design of the next screening round for drug discovery in ion channels.
Patricia Salvati, vice president of discovery at Newron Pharmaceuticals told DrugResearcher.com: "We are interested in ameliorating the drug discovery process. So the results obtained can be applied to different ion channel targets. The selection of specific ion channel targets will be done during the first period of the grant."
Ion channels play an important role in cell signalling, electrical excitability and fluid transport, and are drug targets themselves in a number of indications, including heart disease, diabetes, autoimmune diseases and migraine. Small molecules that block or open ion channels are considered to be promising drug candidates.
The European funding body, the Cooperative Research Programme (CRAFT) long with Newron have signed a research contract of just over €1.8 million with the Commission contributing €1.2 million.
The project is to go ahead in collaboration with a consortium of small-medium enterprises (SMEs) and academic groups that include Multichannel Systems, Nikem Research, The University of Debrecen and the Polish Academy of Science.
Newron Pharmaceuticals are focused on novel ion channel based therapies for diseases of the Central Nervous System (CNS), particularly Parkinson's disease, epilepsy and pain. Newron is conducting Phase III clinical trials in Parkinson's disease with the molecule safinamide. Safinamide is also in Phase II clinical development for epilepsy. In addition, Newron are also in Phase II trials with ralfinamide, a potent sodium channel blocker for the treatment of neuropathic pain.
Newron's efforts in CNS therapy reflect the potential of this market that is currently going through a period of growth. According to Espicom Business Intelligence, in 2003, the CNS market was worth $59 billion (€44 billion) and was growing at around 13 per cent a year.