Grünenthal to explore novel approach to analgesia with Belgian partners

Privately-held German firm Grünenthal has partnered with the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven's Center for Drug Design and Discovery (CD3) and the Laboratory of Ion Channel Research (LICR) to develop novel non-opioid drug candidates for the treatment of painful diseases with a high unmet medical need.

The partnership seeks to exploit TRP ion channels to provide novel analgesics. Grünenthal will provide expertise and technical capabilities in pain research and drug development to optimize compounds.

Chief scientific officer Klaus-Dieter Langner said: "We are delighted to be part of this collaboration. It is a perfect example of an integrated approach that comprises the capabilities of the academic environment, early drug discovery centers and the pharmaceutical industry to deliver innovative solutions for unmet patient needs.”