Additional Pipeline Programs

The Company has a rich and diversified pipeline with compounds in all phases of clinical development.

Our research and development focus is on addressing diseases and disorders of the central nervous and endocrine systems, which include therapeutic categories ranging from diabetes to stress-related disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. Central nervous system and endocrinology drug therapies are among the largest therapeutic categories, accounting for over $100 billion in worldwide drug sales according to Datamonitor (2007).

Research Programs

Neurocrine’s Research Group continues to advance novel small molecule compounds into clinical development. Neurocrine scientists are focusing on developing small molecule antagonists against G-protein coupled receptors. Neurocrine's research organization is comprised of the departments of neuroscience, chemistry (including medicinal, analytical, peptide and computational), pharmacology, screening, and molecular biology. Our scientists possess the skills and experience necessary to bring compounds from basic research concepts to drug candidate stage. Neurocrine utilizes advanced technologies to enhance its drug discovery capabilities and to accelerate the drug development process. Working together, Neurocrine's chemists, pharmacologists and biologists strive to create new solutions for unmet medical needs.

G-Protein Coupled Receptor 119(GPR119)

Type II diabetes is growing at epidemic proportions world-wide. This disease is characterized by reduced ability to secrete and respond to insulin. Drugs which can enhance the secretion of insulin in response to rising blood glucose levels can improve blood glucose control without increased risk of hypoglycemia. Nearly 25 million suffer from Type II diabetes in the United States alone with a worldwide prevalence in excess of 300 million. Recent estimates put the total direct and indirect costs of diabetes at $174 billion.

GPR119 has been identified as a novel target for the treatment of Type II diabetes. GPR119 is expressed predominantly in the pancreas and gastrointestinal tract. The activation of GPR119 receptors located in the gastrointestinal tract stimulates incretins, resulting in increased insulin production, while activation of GPR119 receptors located on pancreatic islet beta cells can stimulate insulin secretion directly.

In June 2010, we entered into a worldwide collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim International GmBH (Boehringer Ingelheim) to research and develop small molecule GPR119 agonists for the treatment of Type II diabetes and other indications. We will work jointly with Boehringer Ingelheim to identify and advance candidates into pre-clinical development. Boehringer Ingelheim will then be responsible for the global development and commercialization of potential GPR119 agonist products.

GnRH Antagonists

As previously mentioned, GnRH antagonists may be useful in treating certain hormone dependent diseases. Our discovery work in nonpeptide GnRH antagonists continues to focus on endometriosis, uterine fibroids and oncology indications as we continue to explore additional drug candidates with our collaboration partner Abbott.

Antiepileptic Drugs

Antiepileptic drugs are utilized in the treatment of epileptic seizures by suppressing the rapid firing of neurons that initiate a seizure. Antiepileptics also have additional effects within the central nervous system that have proven beneficial in bipolar disease, neuropathic pain and essential tremor. According to Datamonitor, in 2008, worldwide sales of anticonvulsants totaled approximately $13 billion.

G-Protein Coupled Receptors 

GPCRs are the largest known gene superfamily of the human genome. Greater than thirty percent of all marketed prescription drugs act on GPCRs; which makes this class of proteins historically the most successful therapeutic target family. However, only a small fraction of the GPCR gene superfamily has been exploited. Next generation therapies derived from GPCRs will be discovered through the understanding of the complex relationships of drug/receptor interactions and their subsequent impact on efficacy, downstream signaling networks and regulation.

Our GPCR research platform has met this requirement by integrating drug discovery research efforts with a suite of assays and assay systems and automated analytical techniques. This process provides a profile of pharmacological receptor/ligand interactions capable of predicting in vivo efficacy allowing for rapid discovery of initial leads and advancement into preclinical and clinical development. Importantly, this design cycle is not limited to GPCR targets, but can be utilized for other proteins that play a role in human disease where current treatments or therapies are either inadequate or nonexistent.

Programs Subject to Regulatory Review

Indiplon

Indiplon is a non-benzodiazepine GABA-A receptor agonist for the treatment of insomnia which acts via the same mechanism as the currently marketed non-benzodiazepine therapeutics. We obtained the rights to indiplon through an exclusive worldwide sublicense agreement that we entered into with DOV Pharmaceutical, Inc. (DOV) in June 1998.

Based on the results of preclinical studies and Phase I, Phase II and Phase III clinical trials on indiplon, as well as a non-clinical data package related to indiplon manufacturing, formulation and commercial product development, we assembled and filed NDAs with the FDA for both indiplon capsules and indiplon tablets. On May 15, 2006, we received two complete responses from the FDA regarding our indiplon capsule and tablet NDAs. These responses indicated that indiplon 5mg and 10mg capsules were approvable (2006 FDA Approvable Letter) and that the 15mg tablets were not approvable.

We resubmitted our NDA for indiplon 5mg and 10mg capsules seeking clearance to market indiplon capsules for the treatment of insomnia. In December 2007, we received an action letter from the FDA stating the indiplon 5mg and 10mg capsules were approvable (2007 FDA Approvable Letter). The 2007 FDA Approvable Letter acknowledged that the resubmitted NDA had addressed the issues raised in the 2006 FDA Approvable Letter, but set forth new requirements. The new requirements set forth in the 2007 FDA Approvable Letter are the following: (i) an objective/subjective clinical trial in the elderly, (ii) a safety study assessing the rates of adverse events occurring with indiplon when compared to a marketed product, and (iii) a preclinical study to evaluate indiplon administration during the third trimester of pregnancy.

After receipt of the 2007 FDA Approvable Letter, we ceased all indiplon clinical development activities in the United States as well as all pre-commercialization activities. We continue to evaluate various alternatives for the indiplon program.