Treating Neuropathic Pain Without the Use of Opioids
SLU ID 21-008 | GPR31 antagonists for treating neuropathic pain
Intellectual Property Status
Seeking
Patent applications filed
Know-how based
Licensee
Development partner
Commercial partner
Investment
University spin out
Background
Neuropathic pain conditions arising from nervous system injuries due to trauma, disease (i.e., diabetes) or neurotoxins (i.e. chemotherapy) are severe, debilitating and difficult to treat. Opioids are widely used to treat chronic pain but limited by severe side effects and strong abuse liability. With over 15-20 million people in the U.S. suffering neuropathic pain and a profound annual economic burden for treatment, there is a high priority for developing novel non-opioid based analgesics.
Overview
Researchers at Saint Louis University have demonstrated that inhibiting GPR31 can inhibit neuropathic pain. They have identified one GPR31 antagonist, which is the first of its kind. No other GPR31 antagonist exists.
Benefits
The potential benefits of this technology include:
Increasing treatment modalities for neuropathic pain
Applications
The potential applications of this technology include:
Treating neuropathic pain caused by cancer, cancer treatments, diabetes, and other diseases
Studying the physiological relevance of GPR31 biology in health and disease
Opportunity
Saint Louis University is seeking a partner to further develop and commercialize this technology.