Snowdon

Therapeutic Area: Acute and Chronic Pain

Opioids such as morphine remain the mainstay treatment for severe acute and chronic pain, but their full potential is limited by side effects such as respiratory depression, gastro-intestinal effects, tolerance and narcotic addiction. There are three major subtypes of opioid receptors: μ (mu), κ (kappa), and δ (delta). Morphine and most other opioid analgesics exert their analgesic and adverse effects through the mu receptor. Recent in vivo studies reveal that mu and delta opioid receptors engage in modulating interactions. Specifically, delta receptor agonists as well as delta receptor antagonists have been shown to elicit the beneficial pharmacological effects of mu agonists. Delta agonists can enhance the analgesic effects of mu agonists, and delta antagonists can mitigate the adverse effects of mu agonists.

Recognizing this opportunity, Snowdon has developed a novel family of delta agonists and antagonists. Snowdon's molecules are structurally distinct from all known opioids and are notable for their low molecular weight (<400), ease of synthesis, chemical stability, favorable solubility profile, and oral bioavailability. Our delta agonists exhibit strong analgesic effects in mice. When combined with morphine, our delta opioids exhibit mixed mu agonist/delta agonist profiles and mixed mu agonist/delta antagonist profiles useful as next-generation analgesics. More broadly, our opioid receptor agents may offer unique pharmacological benefits to address other clinical needs.

Delta Agonists. Besides their analgesic effects, our delta agonists may find clinical utility as treatments for depression and anxiety, as cytoprotective (esp. cardioprotective, neuroprotective) agents, and as therapies for immunological disorders.

Delta Antagonists. Our delta antagonists may provide benefits in the treatment of substance abuse such as cocaine, heroin, alcohol, and nicotine. Currently there are no FDA-approved therapeutic agents available for the treatment of stimulant abuse or for the prevention of its relapse.

Peripherally Active Agents. We are developing a class of peripherally active opioid ligands that bind exclusively to opioid receptors outside the central nervous system (CNS), thus avoiding all unwanted centrally-mediated GI effects such as constipation. These compounds show promise as treatments for chronic inflammatory pain and neuropathic pain which are often resistant to conventional drug treatment in humans.

Therapeutic Areas: Cancer | Acute and Chronic Pain | Infectious Diseases | Neurological Diseases