RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., April 21, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Icagen, Inc. (Nasdaq:ICGN) today announced that results from a study of ICA-105665 in patients with photosensitive epilepsy will be presented at the Tenth Eilat Conference on New Antiepileptic Drugs on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 in Eilat, Israel. The presentation will be made by Dorothee Kasteleijn-Nolst Trenite, MD, University Medical Centre Utrecht and Universita di Roma Sapienza II, Rome, Italy. Dr. Kasteleijn-Nolst Trenite is an internationally recognized expert on studies of photosensitivity as proof of concept for new anti-epileptic drugs and served as the central electroencephalogram (EEG) reader for the study. The topline results of the study were the subject of a previous press release by Icagen.
About Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a disorder characterized by episodic abnormal electrical activity in the brain resulting in seizures, which are characterized by involuntary changes in body movement or function, sensation, awareness, or behavior. There are many causes of epilepsy, including a history of central nervous system trauma, tumor, bleeding, certain metabolic conditions and certain genetic conditions. Approximately 2.5 million Americans are affected by epilepsy.
About ICA-105665
ICA-105665 is a selective opener of certain subtypes of KCNQ potassium channels. KCNQ channels have been validated by both genetic and physiologic evidence as playing an important role in certain conditions characterized by abnormal neuroexcitability, such as seizures, and potentially also chronic pain disorders. In preclinical testing, ICA-105665 has demonstrated a broad spectrum of activity in seizure models, including models of treatment-resistant seizures, as well as efficacy in certain models of pain. Positive results in a Phase IIa study in patients with photosensitive epilepsy were recently reported.
About Icagen
Icagen, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel orally-administered small molecule drugs that modulate ion channel targets. Utilizing its proprietary know-how and integrated scientific and drug development capabilities, Icagen has identified multiple drug candidates that modulate ion channels. The Company is conducting research and development activities in a number of disease areas, including epilepsy, pain and inflammation. The Company has a clinical stage program in epilepsy and pain.
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Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. For this purpose, any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Without limiting the foregoing, the words "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "intends," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations described in these forward-looking statements are set forth under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on March 30, 2010. These risk factors include risks as to the Company's lack of liquidity and substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a "going concern;" the Company's ability to raise additional funding; the Company's history of net losses and how long the Company will be able to operate on its existing capital resources; general economic and financial market conditions; the Company's ability to maintain compliance with NASDAQ's continued listing requirements; whether the Company's product candidates will advance in the clinical trials process; the timing of such clinical trials; whether the results obtained in preliminary studies will be indicative of results obtained in clinical trials; whether the clinical trial results will warrant continued product development; whether and when, if at all, the Company's product candidates, including ICA-105665 and the Company's other lead compounds for epilepsy and pain, will receive approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or equivalent regulatory agencies, and for which indications, and if such product candidates receive approval, whether such products will be successfully marketed; and the Company's dependence on third parties, including manufacturers, suppliers and collaborators. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this press release.