• NeurogesX Inc., of San Mateo, Calif., presented data from its Phase II study of NGX-1998 at the 14th World Congress on Pain in Milan, Italy. Results from the multicenter, placebo-controlled, double-blind Phase II trial in postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) suggested NGX-1998 capsaicin 10 percent solution did not require topical anesthetic pre-treatment and may be safe and effective in PHN and other types of neuropathic pain. No patients discontinued the study due to adverse events, and the incidence of adverse events and serious adverse events was similar in both the treated and placebo groups. The company plans to begin a Phase III study in neuropathic pain by the end of the year.

• Transition Therapeutics Inc., of Toronto, reported that its licensing partner, Elan Corp. plc, of Dublin, Ireland, has commenced a Phase II trial of oral ELND005 (scyllo-inositol) as an adjunctive maintenance treatment in patients with bipolar I disorder to delay the time to occurrence of mood episodes. The placebo-controlled, safety and efficacy study is expected to enroll about 400 subjects. Dosing of the first patient triggered an $11 million milestone payment to Transition. A few years ago, Elan had to modify dosing in a Phase II Alzheimer's trial of ELND005 when nine deaths were reported in the higher dosing arms. (See BioWorld Today, Sept. 28, 2006, and Dec. 16, 2009.)