Towards a novel class of painkillers
A first-in-human study of a sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) modulator has been conducted in healthy study participants, showing promising effects using the PainCart test battery.
There is a great need for novel painkillers that work through mechanisms other than opiates, preferably addressing the underlying mechanisms of chronic pain. In 2024, CHDR’s Pain group investigated a new compound in healthy participants that may offer relief for neuropathic pain syndromes.
‘This compound modulates the S1P receptor, which plays a role in both neuropathic pain syndromes and neuroinflammation,’ says Dr Marieke Niesters, Associate Research Director Pain. ‘It has a direct analgesic effect, as we were able to demonstrate pain relief in our healthy study participants using the PainCart. It may also prove beneficial in treating widespread benign pain syndromes such as painful polyneuropathy and fibromyalgia.’
Dr. Niesters expresses cautious optimism: 'I hope this compound continues to show promise in future studies and eventually becomes a valuable addition to our pain management arsenal.'
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