Human HCN1-Selective Nanobodies for Non-Opioid Pain Relief
Official title: Human(h) HCN1-Selective Nanobodies for use in the Development of Novel, Non-Opioid Antihyperalgesics for the Treatment of Neuropathic Pain
Funded at Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ · NIH-11329911 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new, non-opioid treatment approach uses human HCN1-selective nanobodies attached to a smart linker to make a powerful pain-relief medicine for neuropathic pain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $635,074 |
| NIH project number | 1R61NS147892-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11329911 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with neuropathic pain who are eligible for non-opioid therapies and able to participate in early drug development studies.
✕Less likely to help
Some participants may not experience pain relief or could have adverse reactions to the experimental therapy.
What this research studies
This project aims to create a human HCN1-selective nanobody and use it to guide an antibody-drug conjugate to deliver a non-opioid antihyperalgesic for neuropathic pain. Researchers will identify key features of the hHCN1 channel that matter for binding and function, then design a linker strategy to couple the nanobody to a lead alkylphenol compound. The work builds on prior findings that certain alkylphenols can selectively dampen HCN1 activity and reduce pain in animal models, while preserving normal sensation. The outcome could lead to a new, non-addictive option for people suffering from peripheral neuropathic pain.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide a non-opioid treatment that reduces neuropathic pain and improves quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Related approaches using non-opioid mechanisms have shown promise in preclinical models, but this exact nanobody-ADC strategy is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Goldstein, Peter a — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Goldstein, Peter a
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.