BALTIMORE, May 4, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Goldman Small Cap Research, a stock market research firm focused on the small cap and micro cap sectors, has initiated research coverage of Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners, Inc. (Nasdaq:CPRX), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the commercialization of drugs targeting diseases of the central nervous system with a focus on the treatment of drug addiction and epilepsy.
The size of the cocaine dependence market and the related financial impact in the U.S. is staggering. A 2009 report by the Office of National Drug Policy states that there are 3.6 million chronic cocaine users in the U.S., with 663,000 receiving treatment. Catalyst is slated to launch a CPP-109 Phase IIb safety and efficacy trial, with the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the U.S. Veterans Administration contributing approximately $7.2 million of the $10 million cost, and Catalyst contributing approximately $2.8 million in resources.
In the Goldman Opportunity Research report on the Company, analyst Rob Goldman outlines milestone events that he believes serve as value drivers for the Company's shares.
"Through its unique platform, we believe that Catalyst has two potentially blockbuster products in cocaine addiction and epilepsy," stated Rob Goldman. "The upcoming launch of the Phase IIb CPP-109 trial with NIDA is a tremendous validation of the previous clinical studies and bodes well for future results. Plus, the CPP-115 pre-clinical studies to treat epilepsy and addiction should garner significant attention given CPP-115's dosage, potency, and similarity with Sabril. In our view, Catalyst presents a rare opportunity for investors to invest in a clinical stage company at the current valuation of a pre-clinical stage company."
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About Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners, Inc.: Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners, Inc. is a development-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of prescription drugs targeting diseases of the central nervous system with a focus on the treatment of drug addiction and epilepsy. Catalyst has two products in development, and is currently evaluating the lead product candidate, CPP-109 (vigabatrin, a GABA aminotransferase inhibitor) for the treatment of cocaine addiction. CPP-109 has been granted "Fast Track" status by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of cocaine addiction, which indicates that the FDA has recognized that CPP-109 is intended for the treatment of a serious or life-threatening condition for which there is no effective treatment and which demonstrates the potential to address an unmet medical need. Catalyst also expects to evaluate CPP-109 for the treatment of other addictions and obsessive-compulsive disorders. Catalyst is also in the early stages of developing CPP-115, another GABA aminotransferase inhibitor that could be more potent than vigabatrin but may have reduced side effects (e.g., visual field defects, or VFDs) from those associated with vigabatrin. Catalyst is planning to develop CPP-115 for several indications, including epilepsy and drug addiction. Catalyst believes that it controls all current intellectual property for drugs that have a mechanism of action related to GABA aminotransferase.
For more information, please visit www.catalystpharma.com