Oblique Therapeutics is developing a family of antagonistic antibodies targeting the ion channel TRPA1 (The transient receptor ankyrin 1) for treatment of pain, cough, and itch. The transient receptor ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) act as a sensor for a wide variety of chemical irritants and products from oxidative stress and inflammation. It has been shown to elicit pain in humans in a clinical setting and has been connected with neuropathic pain, inflammatory pain, respiratory syndromes, and chronic itch
Defined as an unpleasant sensation associated with the injury of tissue, the concept of pain covers a broad and multifaceted spectrum of chronic and acute conditions. While instances of minor pain are successfully managed with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, severe challenges arise in the treatment of chronic pain. About 10-20% of the world population is estimated to suffer from chronic pain and where many patients don’t experience sufficient pain relief. This leads to a lower quality of life for the individual and a tremendous socioeconomic burden for society. The lack of efficient and safe treatments is the leading cause of the ongoing opioid epidemic with the overuse and abuse of opioids and resulting deaths. With regulatory agencies and nations eager to curb opioid abuse, there is a significant interest in new, safe solutions for managing severe pain.
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