GSK launches Convergence Pharmaceuticals for development of Novel High Value analgesic medicines

GSK has successfully launched Convergence Pharmaceuticals Ltd, a new company which focuses on the development of novel and high value analgesic medicines. Convergence Pharmaceuticals is an independent biotechnology company that has acquired clinical assets from GlaxoSmithKline ("GSK") to accelerate the clinical development of the Company's pipeline programme.
Convergence Pharmaceuticals has Phase I and Phase II clinical programme in development and a pipeline of six earlier stage compounds. Drugs within the pipeline target the major points of convergence in chronic pain signaling through modulation of specific ion-channels.

Convergence Pharmaceuticals, which has a well validated approach to pain therapy, will immediately initiate Phase II proof of concept studies in neuropathic pain with the Company's lead drug, a voltage-gated sodium channel blocker (CNV1014802), and a Phase I study of its first-in-class voltage-gated calcium channel blocker (CNV2197944) for the treatment of neuropathic and inflammatory pain including osteoarthritis. Both of these compounds have demonstrated efficacy, safety and tolerability profiles to date and have functional properties that differentiate them from currently available chronic pain treatments.

Convergence Pharmaceuticals goals to develop novel, efficacious analgesics with improved pharmacology and safety profiles.