Chlorion Pharma

Chlorion Pharma, Inc. is a drug discovery and development company advancing novel CNS therapeutics to the clinic. Currently, Chlorion is focused on the development of small-molecule, disease-modifying compounds for the treatment of neuropathic pain and epilepsy. These compounds represent a unique therapeutic approach for the treatment of these neurological disorders, based on the modulation of potassium – chloride co-transporters in central neurons. Proof-of-concept studies indicate that this strategy will be substantially more efficacious than currently employed analgesics and anti-convulsants.

Chlorion’s head office and research and development laboratories are located in Quebec City, Canada.

The company is now carrying out two development programs, focused on the same class of compounds. Namely, Chlorion has discovered a series of structurally diverse, small-molecule CL-series leads, which are being evaluated for their utility in both neuropathic pain and epilepsy. These leads selectively modulate either the NKCC1 or the KCC2 potassium – chloride co-transporter systems.

Recent in vivo analyses using experimental models of neuropathic pain have indicated that Chlorion’s CL-673 produces a robust analgesic effect, similar to the currently-marketed gold-standard therapy, gabapentin. No neurotoxicity is observed in response to CL-673 administration. At the present time, Chlorion is undertaking optimization of CL-673, making use of our proprietary Indolar in vitro screening system.

We expect to file CL-673 for approval as an investigational new drug for the treatment of neuropathic pain (sub-type to be determined) no later than Q2 2008.

Chlorion is also collaborating with the US National Institutes of Health’s Anti-Convulsant Screening Program (ASP) to develop selected CL-series leads for the treatment of epilepsy.

Dr. Jeffrey Coull is the President and CEO of Chlorion Pharma, as well as a co-founder of the company. Chlorion’s platform technology stemmed wholly from the work Jeffrey carried out during his PhD at McGill University, under the supervision of Dr. Yves De Koninck. Specifically, in collaboration with Yves, who is also principal in Chlorion, Jeffrey examined the plasticity of inhibition in pain-related neurons in the central nervous system. His discoveries were published twice in Nature, and were the basis of several patent applications. Moreover, Jeffrey’s PhD dissertation was recognized by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council as the best in Canada within the natural sciences.

In addition to Jeffrey’s work with Chlorion, he has gained substantial experience at SHI Consulting, Canada’s leading strategy consultancy focused exclusively on the life sciences. At SHI, Jeffrey has carried out strategic planning and related services for several top-ten pharmaceutical companies, in the United States, Europe and Canada. Jeffrey has also worked extensively with SHI Capital, an emerging boutique investment bank, to source capital for – and provide business advisory services to – life sciences companies.

Dr. Jeffrey Coull, President & CEO
Chlorion Pharma, Inc.
8 René-Lévesque East
Suite 10
Quebec City, Qc
G1R 2B1
Telephone: (416) 550-1410
Fax: (801) 838-4781
Email: jcoull@chlorion.com
Web: www.chlorion.com