Our Solution

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Caventure is taking a proactive approach to the problem through the development of an opioid that is free of common opioid side effects while retaining efficacy in neuropathic pain states, inflammatory pain states and in visceral pain states.  

Caventure's drug, CAV1001, is a peripherally-restricted, non-mu, dual-acting (kappa/delta) opioid.  It is an opioid that does not enter the central nervous system (CNS).  CAV1001 is peripherally-restricted to the tissues outside the brain and brainstem, thus cannot cause addiction, nor can it cause the patient to stop breathing. Most opioids are ineffective in the periphery because there are few mu-opioid receptors in tissues outside the CNS. However, both kappa and delta opioid receptors are in the peripheral tissues, and these receptors can be used to block pain impulses before they reach the brain, like a local anesthetic, but without causing numbness or weakness. 

CAV1001 has the potential for broad pain indications due to the molecule’s ability to take advantage of changes in opioid receptor behavior following injury in the presence of inflammation. The lack of adverse effects and addictive potential are due to its ability to remain in the peripheral tissues, outside the brain, and its lack of peripheral mu-opioid effect on bowel function.

The proof of concept trial confirmed superiority over peripherally-restricted kappa agonists, with elimination of the sensitivity seen in inflammatory pain, without the characteristic diuresis associated with other peripherally-restricted agents. Analgesic efficacy has been confirmed in several different chronic pain models.