Precision painkillers that are more accurate and less harmful to the liver are set to be developed by a University of Queensland spin-off company — potentially changing the lives of millions of people.
, from the (AIBN), is the scientific co-founder of Cassowary Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd which is creating a new range of hyper-targeted medications.
Professor Munro said the drugs would help treat debilitating and chronic pain conditions associated with cancer, sciatica, post-herpetic neuralgia (a painful condition that can follow shingles), peripheral nerve injury and osteoarthritis.
"This type of targeted therapy reduces the potential side effects and safety issues associated with current pain treatments, and will also mean fewer doses are required,” Professor Munro said.
"Creating drugs with these attributes could change the lives of millions of people who suffer from chronic neuropathic pain.”
Professor Munro said up to 10 per cent of the adult population were affected by neuropathic pain, and current treatments often presented problems.
“Many existing treatments are ineffective in large numbers of patients, and carry significant risk of side-effects, including addiction,” he said.
Cassowary Pharma’s drug candidate targets a molecule thought to be important in how the human body senses pain.
“By building on the pioneering discoveries of , and using the critical tools developed in the laboratory of 宅男导航’s , we can create a drug that is very accurate, avoids the risk of liver toxicity, and lessens the overall medication load,” Professor Munro said.
“After receiving funding from the Medical Research Future Fund’s (MRFF) national $40 million CUREator Scheme, Cassowary Pharma anticipates identifying a lead candidate over the next 18 months as a stepping stone to clinical trials.”
Professor Munro said shaping Cassowary Pharma’s goals was a collaborative effort, involving of the and AIBN’s .
It was one of four 宅男导航 start-ups to receive funding earlier this year, which are each working to find new treatments for a diverse range of hard-to-treat conditions.
宅男导航’s commercialisation company CEO Dr Dean Moss congratulated Cassowary Pharma and said the funding recognised the leadership role that 宅男导航 plays in technology transfer and commercialisation.
“I am always excited to acknowledge how innovative research excellence from 宅男导航’s institutes, faculties and schools is translated into real-world impact,” Dr Moss said.
Interview with Professor Munro available via
Media: AIBN Communications, Alex Druce, a.druce@uq.edu.au, +61 (0)447 305 979; AIBN Industry Professor Trent Munro, t.munro@uq.edu.au, +61 (0)499 880 791; 宅男导航 Communications, communications@uq.edu.au, +61 (0)429 056 139.
