• Synthetic Biologics Inc., of Rockville, Md., said its flupirtine sublicensee, Meda AB, of Goteborg, Sweden, received a green light from the FDA to conduct a Phase II proof-of-concept study for the treatment of fibromyalgia, as reported in Meda's 2012 year-end report. Meda has announced that the randomized, double-blind, placebo and active-controlled study of patients with fibromyalgia will be conducted at 25 clinics in the U.S. Flupirtine is described as a first-in-class type of central nervous system agent known as a selective neuronal potassium channel opener that also has NMDA receptor antagonist properties. Flupirtine is approved and marketed by Meda for the treatment of pain in various countries outside of the U.S.