Transcept Pharmaceuticals

Transcept Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a specialty pharmaceutical company deriving significant new patient benefits from proven CNS drugs.  

Effective June 22, 2007, Transcept Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has a new name. The company name was changed from Transoral Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to Transcept Pharmaceuticals, Inc., emphasizing the company’s business strategy to develop improved performance and new uses for proven CNS agents. Transcept is particularly focused on therapeutic agents of importance to psychiatrists and their patients.

The Company has successfully completed its initial Phase 3 sleep laboratory study of low dose Intermezzo™ (sublingual zolpidem tartrate) in the treatment of insomnia as characterized by patients who awaken in the middle of the night and have difficulty returning to sleep.  Transceptexpects to begin the remaining Phase 3 Intermezzo™ outpatient study in the second quarter of 2007. 

Transcept is also pursuing the development of a low dose ondansetron/olanzapine combination product for the treatment of alcohol dependence.  The Company anticipates that this therapeutic combination may also be useful in the treatment of other forms of addiction and other psychiatric conditions. 

Transcept recently raised $40 million in a Series D financing led by NEA that is expected to fund the Company through the filing of the Intermezzo™ NDA prior to the end of 2008.