Icagen Provides Update on Pain Program Including Its SCN9A Sodium Channel Program.

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. -- Icagen, Inc. (NASDAQ: ICGN) today provided an update on its research programs focused on sodium channels including the sodium channel target SCN9A for the treatment of chronic pain. Sodium channels like SCN9A, also called PN1 or Nav1.7, are promising ion channel targets, which the Company is pursuing for the treatment of chronic pain.

In its sodium channel programs, Icagen has identified selective compounds which demonstrate efficacy in animal models for neuropathic and inflammatory pain. With regard to the sodium channel target SCN9A, Icagen holds a sole exclusive license from Allelix Neuroscience to various patents and patent applications which originated from work carried out at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. The Company has reported the discovery of multiple tractable lead chemotypes, and now has identified lead compounds demonstrating efficacy in models of pain. A mutation in the gene coding for SCN9A was recently reported to be associated with the congenital inability to feel pain. Douglas Krafte, Ph.D., VP of Biology at Icagen commented, "Recent publications regarding SCN9A as a potentially important target for the treatment of chronic pain are helpful in validating our current approach to identifying novel pain therapeutics. We are very pleased to report that using Icagen's expertise in drug discovery, we have made substantial progress in discovering novel chemical entities that modulate this important target."

P. Kay Wagoner, Ph.D., CEO of Icagen, further noted, "There are multiple promising ion channel targets for the treatment of neuropathic, inflammatory, and other types of chronic pain, including not only sodium channels, but calcium and potassium channels as well. With an extensive portfolio of ion channel tools and reagents and a large library of compounds developed for activity on ion channel targets, Icagen is particularly well equipped to exploit therapeutic opportunities in this area. Over the past year, we have advanced our research efforts focused on a number of these targets, including particularly the sodium channel SCN9A. We look forward to reporting further progress as we continue our lead optimization efforts in these areas."

About Icagen

Icagen, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel orally-administered small molecule drugs that modulate ion channel targets. Utilizing its proprietary know-how and integrated scientific and drug development capabilities, Icagen has identified multiple drug candidates that modulate ion channels. The Company's four most advanced programs are:

* senicapoc for sickle cell disease, for which the Company is conducting a Phase III clinical trial;

* lead compounds for epilepsy and neuropathic pain, for which the Company is conducting preclinical studies;

* a compound for atrial fibrillation, for which the Company's collaborator Bristol-Myers Squibb Company is conducting preclinical studies; and

* lead compounds for dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, for which the Company's collaborator Astellas Pharma Inc. is conducting preclinical studies, and lead compounds for sleep disorders and/or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, which were derived from the collaboration and for which the Company is conducting preclinical studies.

Icagen is also conducting ongoing drug discovery programs focused on new therapeutics for pain disorders, inflammatory disorders and glaucoma.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. For this purpose, any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Without limiting the foregoing, the words "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "intends," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations described in these forward-looking statements are set forth under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Company's most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These risk factors include risks as to the Company's ability to raise additional funding; the Company's ability to maintain compliance with NASDAQ's continued listing requirements; the Company's history of net losses and how long the Company will be able to operate on its existing capital resources; whether the Company's products will advance in the clinical trials process; the timing of such clinical trials; whether the results obtained in preliminary studies will be indicative of results obtained in clinical trials; whether the clinical trial results will warrant continued product development; whether and when, if at all, the Company's products, including senicapoc, will receive approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or equivalent regulatory agencies, and for which indications, and if such products receive approval, whether they will be successfully marketed; and the Company's dependence on third parties, including manufacturers, suppliers and collaborators. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this press release.