Vivozon Given Fast Track for Non-Opioid Pain Killer

FDA has granted Korea-based Vivozon a fast track designation for VVZ-149, a non-opioid pain killer. The new mechanism-based non-narcotic and non-NSAID analgesic, according to the company, has demonstrated robust pain-suppressing efficacy in a panel of in vivo models (post-operative, formalin-induced, or neuropathic pain model), as well as substantial opioid sparing effects and favorable safety profiles in clinical trials to date. VVZ-149 has also shown an anti-itching effect in a serotonin-induced itching model. “These in vivo efficacies are attributed to the synergistic or additive dual antagonistic activity of VVZ-149 against GlyT2 and 5HT2A, which are key receptors for the transmission of the pain signal in the spinal dorsal horn area and/or peripheral sensory neurons,” it says. The drug is currently in Phase 2b clinical trials (Korea and U.S.) for treating post-operative pain.