Profile: Icagen, Inc. (ICGN.O)

Icagen, Inc. (Icagen), incorporated in November 1992, is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of orally-administered small molecule drugs that modulate ion channel targets. The Company’s programs include ICA-105665 for epilepsy and neuropathic pain, for which the Company is conducting a Phase I multiple ascending dose study in healthy volunteers and epilepsy patients and Senicapoc, previously referred to as ICA-17043, for asthma, for which the Company is conducting two Phase II proof-of-concept clinical trials.

ICA-105665 and other Lead Compounds for Epilepsy and Neuropathic Pain

The Company ICA-105665 focuses specific potassium channels, which are located primarily on the membrane of nerve cells, or neurons, present in particular regions of the central and peripheral nervous system. Epilepsy is a disorder characterized by episodic abnormal electrical activity in the brain resulting in seizures. Neuropathic pain is a severe form of chronic pain that results from damage to the peripheral nervous system. The ion channel focuses on the compounds for the treatment of epilepsy, and neuropathic pain is one of the potassium ion channels responsible for determining the excitability of neurons in the central and peripheral nervous system.

Senicapoc for Asthma

During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company developed Senicapoc, which is a small molecule potassium channel inhibitor that the Company is developing for the treatment of asthma, for which it is conducting two Phase II proof-of-concept studies. Senicapoc targets a particular potassium channel that is expressed on a number of cells believed to be important in the pathogenesis of asthma, including various cells of the immune and inflammatory system and airway epithelial cells. Senicapoc is taken orally and is being developed for once-a-day dosing.

The Company competes with Neurosearch A/S and Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.