CoCensys Licenses Novel Sodium Channel Blockers with Analgesic and Antiepileptic potential from U of S

Posted November 04, 1997


For Immediate Release

97-10-06-OTHER

CoCensys Licenses Novel Sodium Channel
Blockers with Analgesic and Antiepileptic Potential
from University of Saskatchewan


IRVINE, California/PR Newswire/Oct. 29, 1997 ? CoCensys, Inc. (Nasdaq:
COCN) has licensed from The University of Saskatchewan, through its
technology transfer company, University of Saskatchewan Technologies,
Inc., a class of novel, small molecule compounds with potent anticonvulsant
activities that may also prove therapeutic in the treatment of neuropathic
pain. Although terms of the agreement were not released, CoCensys will
pay the university a licensing fee, milestone payments and royalties on
worldwide product sales. CoCensys also is sponsoring additional research
at the university for three years.

As will be presented today in four separate scientific presentations at the
Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting in New Orleans, CoCensys?
scientists have determined that the compounds are sodium channel
blockers, and they have selected a lead candidate, Co 102862, from the
program for preclinical development. The compounds, which were
developed in the College of Pharmacy laboratory of Jonathan R. Dimmock,
are highly potent and readily bioavailable in animal models. As well as
having anticonvulsant activities, the agents may prove therapeutic in the
treatment of neuropathic pain, which is pain resulting from inflammation or
damage to peripheral nerve endings.

We are very excited about the program?s potential, said F. Richard Nichol,
Ph.D., CoCensys? President and Chief Executive Officer. He noted that the
company first learned of Dr. Dimmock?s research through the National
Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke?s Antiepileptic Drug
Development (ADD) Program, a collaborative program that identifies, from
academia and the private sector, compounds that may be beneficial to
those with seizure disorders. The agency?s objective is to focus attention
on promising compounds that the pharmaceutical industry might then
commercialize in their development programs.

We are only weeks away from announcing clinical data from CoCensys?
late-stage anticonvulsant compound, ganaxolone or CCD 1042, Dr. Nichol
said. Phase II trials for ganaxolone in treating adult migraine and epilepsy patients have been completed and the data are being analyzed.
We believe this new technology platform from the University of Saskatchewan
may provide the next generation of anti-convulsants as well as a new
treatment for neuropathic pain.

These compounds were discovered as part of a doctoral project for
Ramanan Puthucode, an outstanding student in my research group, said
Dr. Dimmock. I?m very pleased that an innovative and enthusiastic
company like CoCensys is involved in the future development of our
discovery.

The forward-looking statements contained above involve a high degree of
technological, regulatory and competitive risks and uncertainties inherent to early stage biopharmaceutical companies. Actual results may differ due to a number of factors that are more fully discussed in the company?s most
recent Form 10-K and Form 10-Q.

CoCensys is a biopharmaceutical company that discovers and develops
products to treat central nervous system disorders. The company?s product
development programs focus on novel, small molecule compounds for the
treatment of migraine, epilepsy, anxiety, insomnia, stroke, head trauma and
neurodegenerative diseases. More information about the company is
available on its website: http://www.cocensys.com.

The University of Saskatchewan attracts over $50 million of sponsored
research funding annually and has a successful history of technology
transfer and spin-off company creation.

University of Saskatchewan Technologies, Inc. (UST) is a wholly owned
subsidiary company of the University of Saskatchewan. UST was formed in
1991 to commercialize University-owned intellectual property. More
information about the company is available on its website:
http://www.usask.ca/ust.

Contact:
Ron Susek Bob Sadler
Vice President Technology Transfer Manager
Corporate Business Development University of Saskatchewan
CoCensys, Inc. Technologies, Inc.
(714) 753-6132 (306) 966-8751

or or

Christi Foster Dr. Jonathan Dimmock
Director, Communications College of Pharmacy and
CoCensys, Inc. Nutrition
(714) 753-6112 University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-6331