AAT-076 was tested in the preclinical setting for its analgesic potential in COX-1 and COX-2 assays, as well as in in vivo rat models of air pouch inflammation, adjuvant-induced arthritis and neuropathic pain models. The compound was selected as a candidate analgesic compound due to its effective COX-2 inhibition within the central nervous system.

Researchers from Contineum Therapeutics Inc. have presented preclinical data for the novel brain penetrant lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 (LPAR1) antagonist, PIPE-791, being evaluated in models of neuropathic pain.

The σ2 receptor (σ2R) has been recently identified as transmembrane protein 97 (TMEM97), and ligands of σ2R/TMEM97 have previously shown the ability to alleviate mechanical hypersensitivity in mouse models of neuropathic pain.

All treatment groups in Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s phase II study of the non-opioid VX-548 showed meaningful reductions in pain from baseline in treating diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), pointing the company toward pivotal phase III studies and prompting analysts to applaud enthusiastically.

Bsense Bio Therapeutics Ltd. has nominated BSEN-760, a dual Kv7.2/3 and TRPV1 ion channel modulator, as a clinical candidate for the treatment of chronic pain.