Wyeth-Ayerst and Asta Medica are collaborating on the development of retigabine, the first potassium channel opener anticonvulsant that acts on an ion channel directly linked to epilepsy. The combination of this unique activity with potentiation of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an established anticonvulsant mechanism of action, makes retigabine particularly interesting. It is hoped that such a novel drug will one day be the key to treating patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. At the 54th Annual Meeting of the American Epilepsy Society [Los Angeles, US; December 2000] Wyeth-Ayerst and Asta Medica presented early clinical data that have been collected in the lead-up to phase II clinical testing of retigabine. Results of a currently ongoing phase IIb multinational, placebo-controlled trial will be instrumental in indicating whether retigabine will fulfil its early potential and go on to become the first 'third generation' anticonvulsant to reach the market.