Navega Therapeutics, a biotechnology company, has secured a $4 million Translational Science grant from CIRM to advance the development of NT-Z001, a treatment aimed at neuropathic pain relief.

This grant will support the final preclinical development studies of NT-Z001 before the company submits an Investigational New Drug (IND) application.

Navega employs an AI-enabled platform to create selective epigenetic editors that specifically target the SCN9A gene, which is responsible for transmitting pain signals.

NT-Z001 works by down-regulating the expression of Nav1.7, providing relief from chronic pain in various animal models.

Chronic pain is a significant global issue, affecting around 1.5 billion people, including over 100 million in the United States, where opioid narcotics are commonly prescribed despite their addiction risks.

Over the past decade, opioid prescriptions have surged by 300%, yet the reports of pain have not diminished, leading to more than 130 opioid overdose deaths daily in the U.S.

Approximately 1 in 4 individuals prescribed opioids become addicted, and a staggering 80% of heroin users initially misused prescription opioids.

The increasing reliance on opioids has created a pressing need for alternative pain management options, as this trend contributes to a significant health crisis.

Navega's approach seeks to offer a non-addictive treatment for chronic pain conditions such as primary erythromelalgia and small fiber neuropathy.

Founder and CEO Ana Moreno expressed gratitude for the ongoing support from CIRM, highlighting the importance of their innovative gene therapy work.