NIH

New drug targets pain pathway, shows promise in non-opioid pain relief

March 11, 2025

An NIH-funded research team developed VIP36, a drug the targets the cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) for pain management, according to an article published in Nature earlier this month. VIP36 has demonstrated effectiveness in treating both acute and chronic pain across various animal models. Unlike previous CB1-targeted therapies, VIP36 doesn’t cause harmful side effects such as mood changes or cognitive disturbances. This breakthrough was achieved through computer modeling to design molecules that interact more precisely with CB1, reducing tolerance and minimizing central nervous system penetration. CB1 receptors, part of the G-protein-coupled receptor family, are integral to pain signaling and are densely located in the brain. The development of VIP36 represents a significant advancement in non-opioid pain relief, addressing the challenges of tolerance and high peripheral doses seen in earlier treatments. This research, funded by the NIH HEAL Initiative, aims to provide safer, non-addictive pain treatments and could spur the design of drugs targeting similar receptors for other conditions.

Source:

(2025, March 5). NIH. NIH-funded research team engineers new drug targeting pain sensation pathway. [News release]. https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-funded-research-team-engineers-new-drug-targeting-pain-sensation-pathway