Ascend Pharmaceuticals

AVANIR Pharmaceuticals is engaged in the research, discovery, development and licensing of innovative drug products used in the treatment of chronic diseases. Its product candidates address therapeutic markets that include the central nervous system, atherosclerosis, inflammatory diseases and infectious diseases. Its research and drug discovery programs are focused primarily on small molecules that can be taken orally as therapeutic treatments. The company's lead product candidate, Neurodex, is used for the treatment of Involuntary Emotional Expression Disorder, a condition also known as pseudobulbar affect or emotional lability. Also in clinical development is AVP 13358, a selective cytokine inhibitor. AVANIR was founded in 1988 and has corporate headquarters in San Diego. Its common shares trade on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol AVNR.