Here's a sodium channel drug undergoing clinical trials for treating post-herpetic neuralgia (lingering nerve pain from shingles) and osteoarthritis. Interestingly, it's applied topically. It's only in Phase 2b, however, so it's still years away from possible approval. The ointment is currently being called "TV-45070."

Las Vegas, NV – Monday, April 13, 2015 – (Techsonian) – Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd (ADR) (NYSE:TEVA) and Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc.

(Nasdaq:XENE) recently proclaimed that the first patient has been enrolled into the Phase 2b study designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the novel topically applied TV-45070, (4% and 8% w/w ointment) in patients with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). TV-45070 is a small molecule inhibitor of the sodium channel Nav1.7 and other sodium channels, including those that are expressed in the pain-sensing peripheral nervous system. It is being developed for the treatment of patients with various pain indications, including neuropathic and osteoarthritis pain.

More info:

http://www.xenon-pharma.com/product-...ain/pain-teva/

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