A non-opioid topical cream that eases burn pain by blocking skin pain receptors

Topical treatment for burn pain by blocking cutaneous pain receptors.

NIH-funded research Serentrix, LLC · NIH-11329917

This project is creating a non-opioid skin cream that targets TRPV1 pain receptors to help people with burn-related pain feel less pain.

Quick facts

Grant typeSbir 1 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionSerentrix, LLC NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Exton, United States)
Project IDNIH-11329917 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This work is developing a first-in-class topical medicine that blocks TRPV1 and related pain receptors in the skin to reduce burn pain. The current Phase I SBIR effort focuses on formulation, preclinical testing, and business and regulatory planning supported by technical and business assistance. The goal is to make a product ready for Phase II funding and for downstream partnering or licensing so clinical testing can follow. At this stage the grant supports commercialization steps rather than enrolling patients.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: People with painful skin burns who want a topical, non-opioid option for acute or ongoing burn-related pain would be the ideal candidates for future testing.

Not a fit: People with very deep full-thickness burns that need surgery, pain coming from deeper nerve or bone injury, or those who cannot use topical treatments are unlikely to benefit from a surface cream.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could offer meaningful non-opioid relief for burn pain with fewer systemic side effects and lower addiction risk.

How similar studies have performed: Some topical approaches that target skin pain receptors have shown promise in other pain conditions, but a first-in-class TRPV1-targeting topical specifically for burn pain is relatively novel and early-stage.

Where this research is happening

Exton, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Burn injury
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.