Evotec trial to be conducted by Pfizer

German small-molecule drug development firm Evotec says its dose-escalation Phase I trial of a small-molecule vanilloid receptor 1 antagonist is being progressed by global drug giant Pfizer.

The Phase I trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled single ascending dose study in healthy volunteers to evaluate the compound's safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetic profile after oral administration. The VR1 receptor is a member of the transient receptor potential family of ion channel proteins. Antagonists of VR1, which prevent the activation of nerve cell signalling, are predicted to be useful in the treatment of pain, urinary incontinence and other diseases and disorders.

Michael Kelly, president of Evotec's US subsidiary Renovis, said: "we are extremely pleased that Pfizer has now initiated clinical Phase I with a VR1 antagonist resulting from our collaboration. Safe and effective antagonists of this receptor have the potential to improve treatment in multiple large indication areas where patients are poorly served by existing therapies. At the same time, this demonstrates the progress and productivity of our joint research effort."