The NGN-PET consortium aims to explore neuron-glial interactions in subtypes of neuropathic pain which are induced by chemotherapy or trauma, and to develop human-predictive test systems that can be implemented in the drug discovery process. These cellular systems will use preclinical tissues and human iPSC-derived neuron-glia co-culturesin novel high-throughput screening platfor to identify novel more efficacious treatments for neuropathic pain patients.

To achieve these ambitious goals, a consortium of 6 partners, with the support of IMI, has been formed. NGN-PET brings together experts from industry, SMEs and academia in a synergistic public-private partnership. NGN-PET is supported by over 3million euros from IMI2 programme and industry partners in direct and inkind contributions. The project duration is 3 years. The consortium will disseminate the results through publication in high-impact scientific journals, applying open access policy whenever possible, or in scientific meetings by means of poster or oral presentations. Online outreach of the project publications will be performed via the project website. The NGN-PET project is coordinated by Axxam; the project leader is Esteve, supported by Grünenthal as project Co-Leader.

A disease that affects 20% of the population

Chronic pain is a serious debilitating disease which greatly reduces the quality of life for the individual patients. In Europe, 20% of the population are affected which causes considerable socioeconomic burden of over 200 bn € per year. Chronic pain of neuropathic origin has a population prevalence of 8.2%. Neuropathic pain arises after insults such as surgery, trauma, diabetes, chemotherapy or viral infections, and its prevalence is expected to rise in the future due to the ageing society. Current treatments for chronic pain have limited efficacy, leaving about 60% of patients without adequate pain relief.

Moreover, these therapies address only symptoms not the causes of the pain, and are therefore not curative. In fact, the aetiologies of the disease are poorly understood which hinders the development of new analgesics with improved efficacies. One of the major findings of the last decade in pain research is that non-neuronal cells play a very active role in the development of sensory abnormalities. In particular, glia – like Schwann cells, microglia, or astrocytes – contribute directly to modulation of neuronal functions.

Image: NGN-PET is a consortium bringing together experts from industry, SMEs and academia in a synergistic public-private partnership. (Photo: Esteve).

Esteve co-leads international consortium for the development of more efficacious therapies for neuropathic pain

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