CoCensys

CoCensys was founded in 1989 with a successful IPO in 1993, it acquired ACEA Pharmaceuticals in 1994, divested its Sales and Marketing Division to Watson Pharmaceuticals in 1997, and was acquired by Purdue Pharma in 1999. CoCensys developed allosteric modulators of the GABA-A receptor, modulators of NMDA and AMPA receptors, and sodium channel blockers with equipotent inhibitory actions at NaV1.8 and NaV1.6 isoforms. It had co-development and licensing agreements with Novartis, Parke-Davis, Searle, and Wyeth-Ayerst. The neuroactive steroid ganaxolone, a positive allosteric modulator of GABA-A receptors, is currently in Phase 3 development by Marinus Pharmaceuticals.