Advancing Neurological Therapies: Xyzagen’s Pioneering Kv7 Prodrug Research
The search for innovative neurological treatments has reached an exciting milestone with Xyzagen, Inc. unveiling its latest breakthroughs at the Society for Neuroscience (SfN) 2024 Annual Meeting in Chicago. With over 25 years of expertise in Kv7 channel research, Xyzagen presented cutting-edge prodrug programs designed to address critical unmet needs in neuropathic pain, epilepsy, functional neurological seizures, and rare genetic seizure disorders like KCNQ2 Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathy (DEE).
Breakthroughs in Kv7 Prodrug Development
Xyzagen introduced two patent-pending prodrugs, XYG203 and XYG204, designed to enhance the efficacy and tolerability of ezogabine (EZG), a Kv7 ion channel opener previously approved for partial onset seizures.
XYG203 – A Game-Changer for Neuropathic Pain
Key Features:
✔ Consistent absorption throughout the gastrointestinal tract, reducing peak-to-trough fluctuations.
✔ Loading dose and maintenance strategy minimizes side effects like dizziness and drowsiness.
Efficacy Highlights:
🔹 Demonstrated effectiveness in rodent models of chronic constriction injury (CCI) and cisplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN).
🔹 Improved pain thresholds observed for up to two days post-dose.
XYG204 – Addressing Epilepsy, Functional Neurological Seizures, and Rare Seizure Disorders
Key Features:
✔ Water-soluble prodrug with superior stability compared to ezogabine.
✔ Rapid onset & sustained therapeutic levels when administered intramuscularly (IM), with a simulated human half-life of 14 hours—double that of ezogabine’s tablet form.
Applications:
🔹 Acute use in status epilepticus (SE), functional neurological seizures (FNS), and rare seizure disease KCNQ2 DEE.
🔹 Potential for combination therapy or standalone treatment.
Why Kv7 Channels?
Kv7 channels regulate neuronal excitability, making them a key therapeutic target for neurological disorders. Xyzagen’s prodrug innovations address historical challenges of ezogabine, including poor solubility, short half-life, and significant side effects, paving the way for safer, more effective treatments.
The Future of Neurological Treatment
Xyzagen’s patient-first approach and commitment to translational medicine position these Kv7 prodrugs for fast-tracked development under the 505(b)(2) regulatory pathway. This strategy ensures a more efficient route to clinical use, bringing groundbreaking therapies to patients sooner.
About Xyzagen
Located in Pittsboro, NC, Xyzagen is a boutique pharmacokinetics consultancy and CRO specializing in translational medicine and pharmacology. With state-of-the-art First-in-Rat® and First-in-Mouse® discovery platforms, Xyzagen partners with life science innovators to accelerate drug development from discovery to market.
👉 Discover more about Xyzagen’s transformative research at xyzagen.com .
