Targeted degradation of Nav1.8 for pain relief
Official title: Targeted Degradation of Sodium Channel Nav1.8 for Analgesia
Funded at VA Connecticut Healthcare System · NIH-11346270 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new, targeted approach aims to reduce Nav1.8 channels in nerves to relieve chronic pain in patients, with a focus on Veterans who often struggle with painful conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Connecticut Healthcare System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (West Haven, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2026 |
| Project end | September 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 1I01RD000444-01A2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11346270 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Veterans and others with chronic, intractable pain who may benefit from a non-addictive analgesic.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose pain does not primarily involve Nav1.8 pathways or who cannot tolerate the proposed therapy.
What this research studies
This project seeks to develop a novel analgesic strategy called UbiquiNaV that degrades Nav1.8 channels on nociceptor neurons, potentially lowering pain signals without CNS side effects or addiction risk. Researchers will use live imaging in dorsal root ganglion cells to study how Nav1.8 channels are regulated in space and time. The work emphasizes a non-addictive, durable pain treatment that could improve quality of life for Veterans and support rehabilitation efforts.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could offer a non-addictive, effective pain relief option for people with chronic pain.
How similar studies have gone: Previous Nav1.8-targeted approaches had modest effects and substantial non-responses; this project explores a fundamentally new degradation strategy.
Where this research is happening
-
VA Connecticut Healthcare System
West Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Waxman, Stephen — VA Connecticut Healthcare System
- Study coordinator: Waxman, Stephen
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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.