Lasmiditan

Lasmiditan (codenamed COL-144) is an investigational drug for the treatment of acute migraine. It was discovered by Eli Lilly and Company and is being developed by CoLucid Pharmaceuticals. Phase II clinical trial for dose finding purposes were completed in 2007 for an intravenous and in early 2010 for an oral application form.

Mechanism of action
Lasmiditan is a serotonin receptor agonist that, like the unsuccessful LY-334,370, selectively binds to the 5-HT1F receptor subtype. A number of triptans have been shown to act on this subtype as well, but only after their affinity for 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D has been made responsible for their anti-migraine activity. The lack of affinity for these receptors might result in less side-effects related to vasoconstriction compared to triptans. A 1998 review has found such side-effects to rarely occur in patients taking triptans, but they are contraindicated for patients with ischaemic heart disease, Raynaud's phenomenon or after a myocardial infarction.