Novartis steps up its pain management drug portfolio

This investment led by Novartis will give the company rights to acquire Spinifex's experimental neuropathic pain drug EMA401, which can be consumed to treat post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), a painful condition some people get after shingles. The clinical trial for the drug use is in the mid-stage Phase II, and will get a further boost by the acquisition.

Importantly, the results published in The Lancet medical journal last year showed no central nervous system side effects or any serious adverse events Novartis also intends to start Phase IIb clinical trials in patients with PHN or another condition called painful diabetic neuropathy, which is caused by diabetes.

"Neuropathic pain is a chronic and debilitating condition with high unmet need. EMA401 could provide a novel, differentiated treatment approach," said David Epstein, head of Novartis Pharmaceuticals. (as reported by Reuters).

Novartis has made recent advances in offering treatment using new drug applications including the widely anticipated heart failure medicine LCZ696 and a recently launched psoriasis injection called Cosenty