Nonopioid analgesics discovery and the Valley of Death: EMA401 from concept to clinical trial

Abstract

Maree T. Smith Discovery approaches for novel therapeutics to alleviate chronic painThere are 2 overarching approaches for discovery of novel nonopioid analgesics for alleviating chronic pain in humans. The first is to discover molecules that cross the blood-brain barrier Sponsorships or competing interests that may be relevant to content are disclosed at the end of this article.

An introduction to the biennial review of pain

“…5 Relevant to this concern, plenary lecturer Maree Smith describes the monumental challenges of translating vast amounts of preclinical research into a therapeutic intervention with tangible benefits to patients suffering with pain-highlighting the specific example of a novel angiotensin receptor antagonist. 12 In another fascinating area of research, Irina Vetter reviews the class of pain-causing toxins derived from plant and animal venoms and discusses how understanding their mechanisms can help advance the development of new pain therapeutics. 11 As with most areas of health and healthcare provision, there is a growing recognition of the importance of demographics, such as age, sex/gender, race, and ethnicity, as determinants of underlying pain conditions 4 as well as access to pain treatment.…”