SAN MATEO, Calif., Feb. 1, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NeurogesX, Inc. (Nasdaq:NGSX), a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel pain management therapies, today announced that on January 31, 2012 it entered into a securities purchase agreement in connection with a private placement to a group of institutional accredited investors and, subject to standard closing conditions, is expected to receive approximately $3.0 million in gross proceeds from the sale of 2,969,685 common shares at $1.01 per share based on the consolidated closing bid price of NGSX common stock on the NASDAQ Global Market on January 31, 2012. The funding was led by a large, global institutional investor and included certain other existing investors. The funding was initiated by an inbound inquiry.
The securities sold in the private placement have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. NeurogesX has agreed to file a registration statement with the Commission covering the resale of the shares of common stock sold in the private placement.
This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.
About NeurogesX, Inc.
NeurogesX, Inc. (Nasdaq:NGSX) is a San Francisco Bay Area-based biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel pain management therapies. NeurogesX was founded on the concept that use of prescription-strength capsaicin could help manage the pain associated with neuropathic pain conditions. Since its inception, NeurogesX has leveraged its passion to help people with pain to efficiently develop this concept, resulting in the commercial launch of Qutenza (capsaicin) 8% patch in 2010. The Company continues to apply its knowledge and expertise in the development of other novel treatments for pain.
The Company's lead product, Qutenza, is a localized dermal delivery system containing prescription strength capsaicin that is currently approved in the United States and the European Union. Qutenza is now available in the United States for the management of neuropathic pain associated with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). In Europe, Qutenza is being marketed by Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd. (Astellas), the European affiliate of Tokyo-based Astellas Pharma Inc., for the treatment of peripheral neuropathic pain in non-diabetic adults, either alone or in combination with other medicinal products for pain.
The Company has submitted a supplemental new drug application (sNDA) to expand the U.S. label for Qutenza for the management of pain due to HIV-associated peripheral neuropathy (HIV-PN), previously referred to as HIV-associated neuropathy (HIV-AN) and HIV-distal sensory polyneuropathy (HIV-DSP).
The Company's most advanced product candidate, NGX-1998, is a topically applied liquid formulation containing a high concentration of capsaicin designed to treat pain associated with neuropathic pain conditions such as PHN. NGX-1998 has completed three Phase 1 clinical trials and one Phase 2 clinical trial in PHN patients.
The Company's early-stage pipeline includes pre-clinical compounds which include a number of prodrugs of acetaminophen. The Company has evaluated certain of these compounds in vitro and in vivo.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the Act). NeurogesX disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements, and claims the protection of the Safe Harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Act. Examples of such statements include but are not limited to statements regarding: the potential expansion of the U.S. label for Qutenza to include management of pain due to HIV-associated peripheral neuropathy (HIV-PN); the expected closing, and proceeds from, the private placement transaction and the registration of shares issued in connection with the private placement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Such statements are based on management's current expectations, but actual results may differ materially due to various risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to: difficulties or delays in the further development of Qutenza for additional indications, including difficulties or delays in receipt of FDA approval of the sNDA to expand the U.S. label for Qutenza for the management of pain due to HIV-PN; market acceptance of Qutenza in already approved indications may not be sufficient to support further pursuit of an expanded label for Qutenza; Qutenza, NGX-1998 and NeurogesX' other product candidates may have unexpected adverse side effects; and difficulties or delays in the closing of the private placement and subsequent registration of shares issued in connection with such private placement. For further information regarding these and other risks related to NeurogesX' business, investors should consult NeurogesX' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.