Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp (NASDAQ:TNXP) has announced an acquisition agreement for the acquisition of pain and migraine treatment technologies from Trigemina Inc. and will also take over the license of some of Stanford University’s technologies.
Tonix to advance development of TNX-1900
TNX-1900, which is the lead asset, is a novel intranasal delivery oxytocin solution that is a patented formulation that has shown activity in various non-clinical pain studies. This included neuropsychiatric and prophylaxis models with non-US studies’ safety data. The proprietary oxytocin formulation is in the Pre IND stage and is yet to be approved for any indication. Currently, the intranasal formula, TNX-1900is being evaluated as a chronic migraine prophylaxis.
Oxytocin, a naturally occurring hormone, is a neurotransmitter in the human brain. The FDA has approved it as an intramuscular injection or IV infusion drug in pregnant women when inducing labor. Preliminary clinical studies indicate that a drop in oxytocin levels can result in enhanced headache frequencies, and an increase in oxytocin levels can provide a reliving effect. Intranasal delivery of oxytocin results in enhanced binding to receptors in the trigeminal system neurons thus inhibiting pain transmission. Several clinical trials indicate that intranasal oxytocin delivery is well-tolerated in both adults and children.
Oxytocin can block a process that causes migraine
Seth Lederman the CEO and President of Tonix indicated that they were delighted to develop a non-addictive intranasal oxytocin treatment for craniofacial pain and migraines. Lederman stated that so far, preclinical data have been encouraging and demonstrates that oxytocin, which is a natural hormone, can easily block the release of neurotransmitter calcitonin gene-related peptide in trigeminal ganglia and brain coverings. This, therefore, potentially prevents a key process that causes migraines. The CEO further stated that intranasal delivery ensures that oxytocin manages to reach trigeminal ganglia with minimal systemic absorption.
Trigemina Inc. Chief Medical Officer Shashidar Kori stated that they were pleased to have Tonix continue the advancement of assets it has been developing. Kori added that they were looking forward to facilitate the development of the assets potentially.
