Pain-relief specialist Afferent Pharmaceuticals raises a soothing $23m

Afferent Pharmaceuticals is focused on developing medicines to treat chronic pain by targeting P2X3 receptors in nerve fibres. The company claims that receptors containing P2X3 are highly specific to the nerve fibres that transmit the sensations of pain and discomfort in response to inflammation or injury, particularly in chronic conditions

The company’s lead compound, AF-219, has successfully completed two phase 1 clinical studies, and is expected to undergo efficacy testing in several indications starting in 2010. If successful, the compound could help to alleviate the pain of osteoarthritis, back pain, visceral pain and neuropathy.

Afferent also announced that it has licensed a P2X31 receptor programme from research-focused healthcare company Roche, which is aimed at developing treatments for chronic pain.

Liam Ratcliffe, a venture partner at New Leaf Ventures and Afferent board member, said, “Understanding how pain is processed at each stage in the peripheral and central nervous system is key to developing safe and effective therapies for the treatment of pain. We now understand that P2X3 is an important receptor in a variety of pain conditions and provides an opportunity to block pain at its source. We believe Afferent is well positioned to be the leader in P2X3 targeted drugs and fully exploit this opportunity.”

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