BioCentury
ARTICLE | Emerging Company Profile

Newron: Better channel management

June 23, 2003 7:00 AM UTC

Newron Pharmaceuticals S.p.A. is focused on ion channels, because the company thinks they are important for neurodegenerative diseases, epilepsy and neuropathic pain. The company's lead compound, safinamide, which was acquired from Pharmacia Corp., is in Phase II trials to treat Parkinson's disease and epilepsy.

Newron believes the multiple actions of safinamide may make it efficacious in several indications and perhaps provide it with neuroprotective properties. Safinamide regulates sodium and calcium channels. It also inhibits dopamine uptake and selectively and reversibly inhibits monoamine oxidase (MAO) B, an enzyme that degrades dopamine. ...