VistaGen, a biotechnology company best known for applying human pluripotent stem cell technology to drug rescue, is also developing AV-101, a unique prodrug candidate for the treatment of neuropathic pain. AV-101 is orally available, converted in the brain to a synthetic analogue of a naturally occurring compound that is one of the most potent and selective blockers of the regulatory GlyB-site of the NMDA receptor. In laymen’s terms, AV-101 affects nerve function, useful for reducing neuropathic pain, but may also offer treatment to patients with other neurological conditions, including epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and even depression.

Neuropathic pain is a serious and chronic condition causing misery after an injury or disease of the peripheral or central nervous system. It can be continuous, or occur in episodes, and affects an estimated 1.8 million people in the U.S. alone. VistaGen has been awarded over $8.5 million for the development of AV-101 from the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the company is exploring additional opportunities for pilot Phase 2 clinical studies of AV-101 for depression, epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease.

AV-101 is currently in Phase 1b development in the U.S. for neuropathic pain. VistaGen believes that the associated safety studies completed under its neuropathic pain Investigational New Drug Application on file with the FDA may also enable its Phase 2 development of AV-101 for epilepsy, Parkinson’s, and depression. VistaGen plans to advance AV-101 into Phase 2 development for neuropathic pain by the end of 2012.

For additional information on VistaGen Therapeutics, visit the company’s website at www.VistaGen.com

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