The University of Barcelona develops new compounds with the potential to treat pain without sedative effects
A research team from the University of Barcelona (UB), led by Dr Carmen Escolano from the Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry at the Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, in collaboration with the University of Granada (UGR), has developed a new family of compounds with analgesic activity that could open new avenues for the treatment of chronic pain without the typical side effects of current drugs. The technology, available for licensing through the Bosch i Gimpera Foundation (FBG), represents an innovative alternative in an area with a high unmet medical need.
Pain is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide and has a significant social and economic impact. Although treatments for acute pain are widely used, available options for chronic pain —especially neuropathic pain— remain limited, both due to their reduced efficacy and associated adverse effects, such as drowsiness or coordination problems. This context highlights the urgent need for new, safer and more effective therapeutic solutions.
The new technology is based on the development and characterisation of a series of 40 compounds with an innovative chemical structure. Through preliminary studies to evaluate their pharmacological behaviour, several candidates with significant analgesic activity in preclinical models of neuropathic pain have been identified. The results also show a dose-dependent response and high potency.
One of the most relevant aspects of these compounds is that, unlike other reference treatments, at least one of the candidates does not produce alterations in motor coordination, one of the most common adverse effects of current drugs for neuropathic pain. In addition, early studies indicate a favourable profile in terms of pharmacokinetic properties and safety, reinforcing their development potential.
The compounds have been synthesised through efficient single-step processes under green chemistry conditions, facilitating scalability and potential transfer to the industrial sector. The technology is currently at an early stage of development (TRL3) and is protected by a European patent application.
With a growing global market for pain treatments and a clear demand for new solutions for chronic pain, this technology represents a valuable opportunity for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. The research team is seeking to establish licensing agreements, while also considering other forms of collaboration to advance its development and bring it closer to the market.
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