Zyneyro develops targeted receptor modulators to create novel pharmacological agents for neuropathic pain management. Their approach aims to enhance pain relief while reducing side effects, addressing the significant need for effective treatments in this area.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Current treatments for neuropathic pain, including anti-epileptics, antidepressants, and opioids, often provide only partial relief and come with considerable side effects. This results in a significant unmet need for safer and more effective therapies. The underlying cause of neuropathic pain often involves damage to the peripheral nervous system, leading to increased central pain perception and maladaptive plasticity.
Solution
Zyneyro is developing innovative peptide and gene therapeutic-based solutions to selectively target the neural adaptations underlying chronic pain, thereby circumventing dose-limiting side-effects. Their approach focuses on modulating synaptic transmission in the spinal cord by specifically targeting the scaffold protein PICK1, which is responsible for the insertion of excess glutamate receptors in the hyper-sensitized condition. Zyneyro has developed a synthetic bivalent peptide that inhibits PICK1 with high specificity and selectivity, as well as a gene therapeutic approach enabling neuron-specific expression of the bivalent peptide. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that subcutaneous administration of their synthetic inhibitor provides transient relief of evoked pain in mouse models of inflammatory, neuropathic, and diabetic pain, as well as relief of ongoing pain, without affecting normal pain transmission, locomotor activity, or cognitive function.
Target Audience
The primary target audience includes individuals suffering from chronic neuropathic pain, as well as pharmaceutical companies seeking novel pain management solutions.
Features
- Synthetic bivalent peptide inhibitor of PICK1 for targeted pain relief.
- Gene therapy approach for neuron-specific expression of the PICK1 inhibitor.
- Demonstrated reduction of calcium permeable AMPA receptor insertion in spinal cord tissue.
- Electrophysiological in vivo measurement showing reduced hyperexcitability in injured animals.
- Transient relief of evoked and spontaneous pain in mouse models of inflammatory, neuropathic, and diabetic pain.
- No observed effects on normal pain transmission, locomotor activity, or cognitive function.
- Absence of abuse liability in preclinical testing.