Biolipox: Bypassing COX-2

With COX-2 inhibitors under fire, companies developing next-generation treatments in pain and inflammation are getting renewed attention from investors. One of the early stage plays, Biolipox AB, recently closed a $41 million C round that it plans to use to advance its internally developed compounds into the clinic.

Biolipox's most advanced project is NLA, an antihistamine nasal spray that the company in-licensed in 2001 from NicOx S.A. (NM:Nicox, Sophia-Antipolis, France). The cetirizine dinitrate nitric oxide-donating derivative of the antihistamine cetirizine targets the histamine H1 receptor and has completed a Phase IIa study in allergic rhinitis (see BioCentury, July 2, 2001, & June 7, 2004). The compound is in another Phase II study looking at the time to onset of action, with results expected this year. ...