Abstract: Dehydroabietic acid derivatives according to Formula Ia or Formula Ib and all stereoisomers thereof, having a linker chain A of 1 to 10 atoms selected from carbon, nitrogen and oxygen to a group X capable of being negatively charged at a physiological pH and covalently attached to the linker chain A, selected from carboxyl, sulfate, sulfonate and phosphate groups.

Abstract: The present invention relates to derivatives of dehydroabietic acid useful in treatment of cardiac arrhythmia or a hyperexcitablity disease, such as epilepsy or pain, by extracellularly acting on the voltage sensitive domain (VSD) to open at least one member of the family of voltage-gated Kv (potassium) channels.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of using polyunsaturated fatty acids and derivatives thereof (“PUFAs”) to modulate Iks channels to treat conditions associated with a disruption in Iks channel activity, such as cardiac arrhythmias. In particular, disclosed herein are negatively charged PUFAs having decreased pKa values, which can activate (i.e., open) IKs channels, and positively charged PUFAs that can inhibit (i.e., close) IKS channels.