Insomnia
GABA receptor partial agonist
Adipiplon (Formerly NG2-73)

Phase 2-3

Neurogen owns all commercial rights to its GABA program.

Recent studies indicate that as many as 20 million people in the United States experience chronic insomnia and an additional 20 to 30 million Americans experience intermittent sleep disorders. While currently marketed drugs to treat sleep disorders, known as hypnotics, do have efficacy, they may cause numerous side effects, including "hangovers," rebound insomnia, short-term memory loss and addiction. Read more…

Cough
VR1 receptor antagonists
NGD-8243

Pain
VR1 receptor antagonists
NGD-9611

Phase 2

Preclinical development
VR1 program partnered with Merck

Neurogen researchers believe that a drug that blocks the vanilloid receptor-1 (VR1), located on noiciceptive (peripheral) primary sensory neurons that transmit pain signals to the central nervous system for the perception of pain, could benefit patients suffering from various types of inflammatory and other pain states. Studies which model inflammatory pain in genetically altered mice lacking the VR1 receptor indicate a role of VR1 in the sensation of noxious heat as well as thermal hyperalgesia (heightened sensitivity to heat-induced pain). VR1 receptors are also found in the bladder and lungs, such that VR1 antagonists may have utility in cough and urinary incontinence. Read more…

Parkinson's Disease
Restless Legs Syndrome
D₂ receptor partial agonist
Aplindore

Phase 2

In-licensed from Wyeth Pharmaceuticals

Dopamine agonists currently available for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease and Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) are full agonists at dopamine-2 (D2) receptors and require a long titration period--up to seven weeks in Parkinson’s disease and four weeks in RLS. Titration is the process of establishing the appropriate dose of a drug for a particular patient by increasing doses incrementally over a period of time. Read more...

Anxiety
GABA receptor partial agonist
Adipiplon (Formerly NG2-73)

Phase 1-2

Neurogen owns all commercial rights to its GABA program.

Anxiety disorders are commonly treated with the benzodiazepine class of drugs, including drugs such as Valium™, and the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI’s), such as Paxil™.  While the benzodiazepines typically demonstrate a strong anxiety relieving effect, this class of drugs suffers from a high rate of behavior impairing effects, such as sedation and ataxia (loss of muscle coordination). Read more...