Channel Therapeutics Reports Positive Preclinical Results for NaV1.7 Inhibitor Formulation

Channel Therapeutics Corporation, based in Freehold, New Jersey, has made significant strides in the realm of non-opioid pain management. On December 18, 2024, the company announced that its innovative nerve block formulations have achieved primary goals in two pre-clinical in vivo studies. These formulations have shown substantial improvements over bupivacaine, which is currently the standard treatment for acute pain, in terms of both efficacy and duration.

Dr. Eric Lang, the Chief Medical Officer of Channel Therapeutics, expressed enthusiasm over these findings, suggesting that their NaV1.7 inhibitors could offer promising alternatives for managing acute and post-surgical pain. Dr. Lang also highlighted the potential of this drug to enhance existing postoperative treatment options, paving the way for success in other ongoing projects.

The trials conducted by the company involved testing two main models: thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia in rodents. These studies utilized a placebo, a bupivacaine standard, and four different formulations of the company’s compound, all administered as sciatic nerve blocks. Notably, each of Channel's formulations demonstrated a depot effect lasting over four days, surpassing the performance of bupivacaine.

A detailed examination of the thermal hyperalgesia test results indicated that three out of the four formulations provided significantly better results than bupivacaine after just thirty minutes. These formulations maintained their superiority over placebo for more than two days longer than bupivacaine, with one remaining effective for over four days. Since the NaV1.7 inhibitors do not impair mobility, this could offer a significant advantage in post-surgical physical therapy, as current therapies tend to cause temporary paralysis in the treated area.

Similarly, results from the mechanical allodynia test showed that three formulations were more effective over a longer period than bupivacaine. Although this test generally encompasses a shorter timeline due to the natural recovery speed post-surgery, its findings mirrored those of the thermal hyperalgesia test, reinforcing the potential of NaV1.7 as a target for pain management drugs.

Frank Knuettel II, CEO of Channel Therapeutics, emphasized the relevance of these findings, stating that the results support a robust development trajectory for launching drugs with significant market potential. He pointed out the promising financial prospects, given that the global market for post-operative pain management was valued at $2.6 billion in 2023. A notable portion of this market is currently dominated by Exparel, a bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension, which accounted for approximately $538 million in revenue.

Channel Therapeutics is also exploring additional applications of their NaV1.7 inhibitors, with results anticipated for studies on eye drops for various eye pain types, including severe dry eye and corneal abrasions, expected by late January 2025.

Founded as a clinical-stage biotechnology firm, Channel Therapeutics is dedicated to advancing non-opioid, non-addictive treatments for pain relief. Their primary focus is on targeting the sodium ion channel NaV1.7, which plays a crucial role in chronic pain, acute and chronic eye pain, and post-surgical nerve blocks. Through these innovations, Channel Therapeutics aims to transform pain management and reduce the reliance on opioids in postoperative care.