K+ Channel Antagonist Market: Competitive Landscape, Pipeline, and Market Analysis 2023

A K+ channel antagonist is a type of drug that blocks or inhibits the activity of potassium (K+) channels in the body. By antagonizing these channels, the drug disrupts the normal function of potassium channels, leading to various physiological effects. The mechanism of action of K+ channel antagonists involves binding to specific sites on the potassium channels, thereby preventing potassium ions from passing through the channel pore. This blockade can result in membrane depolarization, alteration of action potentials, and modulation of cellular excitability K+ channel antagonists are used in the treatment of several medical conditions, including cardiac arrhythmias, hypertension (high blood pressure), epilepsy, and neuropathic pain. By modulating potassium channel activity, these drugs can help regulate electrical signaling in the heart, control blood pressure, reduce neuronal hyperexcitability, and alleviate pain associated with nerve damage. According to WHO, 1.28 billion adults aged 30–79 years worldwide have hypertension, most (two-thirds) living in low- and middle-income countries, and moreover, 46% of adults with hypertension are unaware that they have the condition.

The growth drivers of the K+ channel antagonist market include the increasing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and neurological disorders that require the modulation of potassium channel activity for effective treatment, as well as advancements in drug discovery and development technologies leading to the introduction of new and more potent K+ channel antagonist drugs. Companies such as AstraZeneca, AbbVie, Pain Reform, Abbott, Astellas, Bayer, Blue Ash Therapy, and Circassia cater to this category. Moreover, many companies are coming up with new molecules in this space. For instance, Sequel is one such company that is currently conducting a clinical trial of the drug K201 for the treatment of arrhythmia.

Key Developments

In August 2019, Kissei Pharmaceutical launched Mitiglinide for type 2 diabetes mellitus in Taiwan

In December 2020, Wanbang Pharmaceutical received approval for the drug Lidocaine/ Prilocaine from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) to submit the investigational new drug (IND) for Clinical Trial Approval (CTA) for Premature ejaculation in China.

Approved K+ Channel Antagonists molecules:

• Gliclazide
• Multaq (dronedarone)
• Brinavess (vernakalant)
• Pliaglis (lidocaine and tetracaine topical cream 7%)
• Dofetilide
• Glufast (mitiglinide)
• Diazoxide choline controlled release (DCCR)
• Corvert (ibutilide)
• Stedicor (azimilide dihydrochloride)
• Fortacin (lidocaine, prilocaine spray)
• LiRIS (lidocaine)
• Alenura (lidocaine, heparin)
• Metgluna (mitiglinide, metformin)
• Pulzium (tedisamil)
• Metformin, gliclazide

K+ Channel Antagonist Pipeline Molecules

• AZD1305
• K201
• NTC-801
• Budiodarone (ATI-2042)
• AZD7009
• BAY2253651
• SPS4251
• Ropivacaine depot (F-93)

Clinical Activity and Development of K+ Channel Antagonists

 In the K+ Channel Antagonist space, more than 25 companies are conducting more than 35 clinical trials in this category of drugs. For instance,

In January 2023, Soleno therapeutics presented results assessing the effect of Diazoxide Choline Extended-Release Tablet in People with Prader-Willi Syndrome published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism

In December 2021, Plethora Solutions completed a phase II trial for Premature ejaculation in the USA.