About TTX
Tetrodotoxin or TTX is a non-peptide neurotoxin, a safe, well-tolerated, non-addictive alternative to opioids. TTX blocks the voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) found on nerves which conduct pain impulses, which are known to be affected in chronic pain conditions. TTX is highly specific to VGSCs on nerve cells, without direct myocardial depression or arrhythmias as it does not bind significantly to the subtypes of sodium channels found in the heart. In addition it crosses the blood brain barrier poorly thereby limiting the possibility of inducing seizures.
The current gold standard for moderate to severe pain treatment is opioids. However, opioids have limitations. Serious risk factors associated with opioids include respiratory, gastrointestinal and central nervous system side effects. Opioids can also be ineffective – one in four patients fails opioid treatment. Finally, opioids have a risk of addiction and tolerance, which is a limiting factor in prescribing this class of drugs.
TTX is 2000 times more potent than morphine without the opioid-like side effects. It is non-addictive, with no tolerance issues, rapid onset and a long duration of action. WEX has completed five clinical trials with TTX, with more than 200 patients treated to date, in which TTX was shown to be safe and well-tolerated for the intended application.
Our first indication, TTX for cancer-related pain, is in Phase III clinical development in Canada. We plan to file additional protocols for various indications with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Health Canada.
The current gold standard for moderate to severe pain treatment is opioids. However, opioids have limitations. Serious risk factors associated with opioids include respiratory, gastrointestinal and central nervous system side effects. Opioids can also be ineffective – one in four patients fails opioid treatment. Finally, opioids have a risk of addiction and tolerance, which is a limiting factor in prescribing this class of drugs.
TTX is 2000 times more potent than morphine without the opioid-like side effects. It is non-addictive, with no tolerance issues, rapid onset and a long duration of action. WEX has completed five clinical trials with TTX, with more than 200 patients treated to date, in which TTX was shown to be safe and well-tolerated for the intended application.
Our first indication, TTX for cancer-related pain, is in Phase III clinical development in Canada. We plan to file additional protocols for various indications with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Health Canada.
