Glenmark Pharmaceuticals today announced the discovery of a novel chemical entity (NCE) called GRC 17536. The potential drug candidate belongs to the class of receptor antagonists for pain and respiratory disorders.
The company has completed pre-clinical studies, and the company plans to file for phase 1 application in January 2011.
"GRC 17536 which is a TRPA1 receptor antagonist is another potential first-in-class globally and we are encouraged by the results shown by the molecule in animal studies. GRC 17536 is selective even when compared with other TRPs and can be administered orally," said Glenn Saldanha, CEO and MD, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals.
TRPA1 belongs to the Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) family of ion channels, which have generated a lot of interest as pain targets due to their role in peripheral and/or central pain signal transmission, said the company in a statement.