CombiGene and Zyneyro, together with, among others, the pain program COZY's Scientific Advisory Board, have analyzed a number of different pain conditions to identify which indication is best suited to start with in clinical studies in the peptide-based project COZY01. After carefully reviewing the medical conditions for a first proof-of-concept study, CombiGene and Zyneyro have decided to focus the first study in humans on patients with pain associated with herpes zoster (shingles) – a very painful complication.

Shingles occurs mainly in people over 50 years of age and causes severe and clearly defined pain, often in combination with hypersensitivity of the skin. This patient group is relatively homogeneous, hence very well suited to study the effect of a COZY01 treatment.

Once proof-of-concept has been shown, continued development will focus on diabetic neuropathy, one of the most common chronic complications in diabetes. A clear symptom of diabetic neuropathy is severe chronic pain. In addition to the human suffering, diabetic neuropathy places a large and growing burden on healthcare systems, and, like many other chronic pain conditions, there are no effective forms of treatment.

“The choice of indication in the peptide-based COZY01 project is an important milestone. In parallel with conducting the remaining preclinical studies, we can now begin the extensive work of preparing the clinical program, i.e., studies in humans,” says Pernilla Fagergren, Director Clinical Development at CombiGene.

About the COZY pain program
The COZY pain program is being developed to offer effective pain relief without the side effects that current treatments often cause. This is possible as Zyneyro's researchers have identified a new biological mechanism of action that forms the basis for the COZY pain program. The mechanism of action was discovered by Zyneyro's researchers while they were still at the University of Copenhagen. The program consists of two projects: a peptide treatment (short-term treatment) and a gene therapy treatment with potentially lifelong effect. The patient's clinical picture and other factors will guide the choice of therapy, COZY01 or COZY02. The program is run jointly by CombiGene and Zyneyro and the project's costs and future revenues are shared equally between the two companies.

About Zyneyro ApS
Zyneyro was founded by a group of researchers from the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Copenhagen and a group of entrepreneurs who together have extensive experience in all aspects of early drug development and entrepreneurship. The company’s researchers have worked for more than 15 years to understand the ability of the brain and nervous system to adapt to the influence of the surrounding environment. Zyneyro's goal is to translate this knowledge of modulation of neuronal interaction into developing a number of drug candidates. The drug candidates included in the collaboration with CombiGene relate to the treatment of pain. Zyneyro also intends to develop other drug candidates for indications other than pain.