Xenon Pharmaceuticals

Xenon Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Burnaby, BC, Canada, specializing in neuroscience. The company is committed to discovering, developing, and commercializing innovative therapeutics aimed at improving the lives of individuals with neurological and psychiatric disorders. Xenon Pharmaceuticals places significant emphasis on human channelopathies, which has enabled them to develop strong capabilities in small molecule ion channel drug discovery. Their lead molecule, azetukalner, is a novel and potent Kv7 potassium channel opener currently being developed for the treatment of epilepsy, major depressive disorder, and potentially other neurological conditions. The company is advancing a novel product pipeline to address areas of high unmet medical need, including epilepsy and depression. Xenon Pharmaceuticals is conducting Phase 3 clinical trials, X-TOLE2 and X-TOLE3, for azetukalner in focal onset seizures, and a Phase 3 trial, X-ACKT, for primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Additionally, they plan to initiate a Phase 3 program for azetukalner in major depressive disorder in the second half of 2024. The company is also collaborating with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai on a Phase 2 proof-of-concept study of azetukalner for major depressive disorder. In partnership with Neurocrine Biosciences, Xenon Pharmaceuticals is developing treatments for epilepsy, including the clinical stage selective Nav1.6 sodium channel inhibitor NBI-921352. Their preclinical programs focus on promising drug candidates targeting sodium and potassium channels, with a near-term focus on Kv7, Nav1.1, and Nav1.7. Xenon Pharmaceuticals does not currently offer an expanded access program for their investigational drugs outside of clinical trials.