Developing new drugs to treat neuropathic pain without opioids
Official title: Development of positive TMEM97 modulators for treating neuropathic pain
Funded at Nuvonuro INC · NIH-10642506 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on new medications that aim to help people with chronic nerve pain without the risks of addiction that come with opioids, using a special protein called TMEM97 to find safe and effective treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Nuvonuro INC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Austin, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $1,352,240 |
| NIH project number | 1UG3NS131304-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10642506 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing chronic neuropathic pain who are seeking alternative treatments to opioids.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not suffer from neuropathic pain or those who are not responsive to non-opioid pain management strategies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating novel medications that target a specific protein, TMEM97, to alleviate neuropathic pain without the addictive properties of opioids. The team has identified compounds that show promise in animal models, demonstrating effective pain relief without the development of tolerance. The research will involve optimizing these compounds to ensure they are safe and effective for potential human use. By exploring a new mechanism of action, this work aims to provide a breakthrough in pain management for those suffering from chronic pain.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to non-addictive pain relief options for patients suffering from neuropathic pain.
How similar studies have gone: This approach is novel and has not been extensively tested in human subjects, although preliminary animal studies show promising results.
Where this research is happening
-
Nuvonuro INC
Austin, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Martin, Stephen — Nuvonuro INC
- Study coordinator: Martin, Stephen
Related research
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.