TARRYTOWN, N.Y. (AP) — EpiCept Corp. said Wednesday the Food and Drug Administration granted the company’s developing pain drug orphan drug designation.

The designation gives NP-1 seven years of market exclusivity if it is approved, along with assistance in clinical trial design, a reduction in user fees, and tax credits. The designation is given to drugs aimed at rare conditions or conditions that have a lack of treatments on the market.

NP-1 is topical treatment specifically aimed at treating pain from damage to the peripheral nervous system.