Avigen

Avigen, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to identifying and developing products for the treatment of patients with neurological disorders and other diseases. The company has developed the AV411 portfolio, which includes lead drug compounds in Phase II and proprietary analogs, representing a novel class of non-opioid drugs for treating various large pain and drug addiction indications. AV411 is an orally bioavailable small molecule; a glial attenuator that inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, TNFα, and IL-6; and a functional antagonist of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), which may contribute to its attenuation of neuroinflammation. AV411 is currently being evaluated in a Phase Ib/IIa clinical trial. The company was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in Alameda, California. As of December 18, 2009, Avigen, Inc. operates as a subsidiary of MediciNova Inc.