Treating Neuropathic Pain Without the Use of Opioids

SLU ID 21-008 | GPR31 antagonists for treating neuropathic pain

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.