Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners, NIDA partner to conduct CPP-109 Phase II(b) clinical trial for cocaine addiction

Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners, Inc. (NasdaqCM: CPRX) announced today that it has signed a non-binding Letter of Intent with the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to conduct a U.S. Phase II(b) clinical trial evaluating CPP-109, Catalyst's formulation of vigabatrin, for the treatment of cocaine addiction.  It is anticipated that NIDA, under their agreement with Veteran's Administration Cooperative Studies Program, will provide substantial resources for the trial and that Catalyst will contribute approximately $2.5 million in resources as part of the estimated $10 million trial cost.

"We believe that support from NIDA further validates our enthusiasm of the potential for CPP-109 to help solve the global problem of cocaine addiction," said Patrick J. McEnany, Chief Executive Officer of Catalyst.  "We are very pleased to be working with NIDA and look forward to their participation, financial support and guidance in this study as we advance the development of this important program."

"Currently, there are no FDA-approved medications to battle cocaine addiction," said Dr. David McCann, Associate Director, Division of Pharmacotherapies and Medical Consequences of Drug Abuse, NIDA.  "We are involved because we are encouraged by findings from prior animal and human studies that suggest promise for this medication as a treatment for the nation's estimated 2.1 million cocaine abusers."

SOURCE Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners, Inc.