Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals’ olcegepant (BIBN 4096) is a selective Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) antagonist, a new class of drugs in development for the treatment of acute migraine attacks. Olcegepant is undergoing phase II trials in Europe and the US, with preliminary results suggesting that CGRP antagonists may represent a potential new approach to the treatment of migraine. (en)
Migraine involves dysfunction of brainstem pathways that normally modulate sensory input. The involvement of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in migraine pathology is supported by both clinical and experimental evidence. The release of CGRP and other neuropeptides from trigeminal nerves is thought to mediate neurogeate inflammation within the meninges which contributes to the generation of severe cerebral pain experienced during migraine attack. CGRP antagonists such as olcegepant bind at CGRP receptors, blocking the effect CGRP and thus reducing inflammation. (en)