NEUROMED PHARMACEUTICALS AND MERCK & CO., INC. ANNOUNCE AGREEMENT FOR NOVEL N-TYPE CALCIUM CHANNEL COMPOUNDS

Neuromed Pharmaceuticals Ltd. and Merck & Co., Inc. announced today that they have signed a research collaboration and license agreement to research, develop and commercialize novel compounds for the treatment of pain and other neurological disorders, including Neuromed's lead compound, NMED-160, which is currently in Phase II development for the treatment of pain. Business Wire (http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20060320005567&newsLang=en)