[Sangamo starts preclinical work in neuropathic pain program with TrkA as target]
>>RICHMOND, Calif., Nov. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: SGMO - News) today announced that data from its program to develop a ZFP Therapeutic(TM) for neuropathic pain were presented at the 8th International Conference on the Mechanisms and Treatment of Neuropathic Pain on November 5, 2005, in San Francisco. The studies report the development of Sangamo's program to use zinc finger DNA-binding protein transcription factors (ZFP TF(TM)) as potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of neuropathic pain.
"Our data show that we have designed ZFP TFs that, in human cells and primary nerve cells, can significantly repress the expression of a well-validated gene target for neuropathic pain, TrkA," said Dr. Philip Gregory, Sangamo's vice president of research. "These data are very encouraging and we are in the process of testing this novel approach in animal models including a model of bone cancer pain."
"Neuropathic pain represents a significant unmet medical need," said Edward Lanphier, Sangamo's president and CEO. "It is estimated that as many as 80 million people in the US live with chronic pain derived from a variety of sources including back pain and cancer. Annual sales for over-the-counter analgesics alone add up to $3 billion and prescribed drugs account for another $100 billion a year. Only 15-30% of neuropathic pain is treatable using opioids, the most potent existing pain relievers, which have many undesirable side effects. The promise of the "better opioid" that is non-addictive and side effect free has not materialized. We believe that our ability to specifically repress the TrkA gene using ZFP TFs may enable the development of a more effective therapeutic to address neuropathic pain."
Neuropathic pain is the result of an injury or malfunction in the peripheral or central nervous system. Such pain can also result from infiltration or compression of nerves by tumors or inflammation of the nerve as a consequence of infection. Neuropathic pain is frequently chronic, and often fails to respond to standard analgesic treatment. Opioids may give a degree of relief, but in many cases only at doses impractical for what may be a lifelong regimen.<<
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