TheraQuest launches new analgesic product pipeline

TheraQuest Biosciences, Inc., a clinical stage pain management company today unveiled its analgesic product pipeline. TheraQuest also announced the launch of its new corporate website at http://www.theraquestinc.com.

Najib Babul, PharmD, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "After a careful strategic review of our pipeline, we have realigned our development efforts to focus on chronic pain products with the largest market potential and greatest probability for timely FDA approval."  Babul further noted, "Going forward, we will focus our development resources on drugs to treat chronic musculoskeletal conditions such as osteoarthritis and low back pain, and on neuropathic pain."

Overview of Pain Pipeline

TQ-1020 (Levorphanol Extended Release) is a proprietary once-a-day extended release levorphanol in an abuse deterrent drug delivery system. It has activity at both opioid and non-opioid receptors and monoamine reuptake inhibition comparable to Nucynta® and Ultram®.

TQ-1021 (Topical Mepivacaine) is a proprietary topical dosage form of the local anesthetic, mepivacaine for the treatment of neuropathic pain. It has been granted Orphan Drug Designations for the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia and painful HIV neuropathy.

TQ-1028 (Oral, Buprenorphine Extended Release) is a proprietary once-a-day extended release oral dosage form of the C-III opioid buprenorphine. According to the DEA and FDA, buprenorphine has a lower abuse potential than oxycodone, oxymorphone, morphine and hydromorphone, the C-II opioids in OxyContin®, Opana® ER, Embeda® and Exalgo®.