Walden Emil Bjørn-Yoshimoto

Non-opioid pain relief through a novel target

Applicant

Walden Emil Bjørn-Yoshimoto

Project description

Current pain therapeutics include opioids, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, and anti-inflammatory drugs. The most efficacious pain medication available is arguably opioids which come with a sleuth of adverse effects and are highly addictive.

We have identified a potent and selective agonist of the somatostatin receptor 4, a novel molecular target for pain relief. Our compound shows efficacious pain relief in several animal models of pain and, importantly, does not enter the CNS. Our initial focus is on postoperative- and peripheral neuropathic pain conditions.

During the SPARK program, we will develop this compound with an emphasis on improved pharmacokinetics and side effect profile.

Institution

University of Copenhagen