Weill Cornell Medicine and Akelos, a biopharmaceutical company, are collaborating to develop an oral drug and, later, an injectable version. The drug will treat neuropathic pain, which is chronic pain caused by hypersensitive damaged neurons or nerve fibers that transmit pain signals.
Approximately 500 million people worldwide have chronic pain, according to Steven Fox, DDS, creator of Akelos. He said that number, compounded with the opioid crisis, create an unprecedented need for nonopioid alternatives.
The two-year grant is part of Helping to End Addiction Long-term Initiative, which has awarded $945 million across 41 states.
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