Experimental painkiller SBI-810 targets neurotensin receptor 1 to relieve acute and chronic pain without opioid-like high

SBI-810, an experimental non-opioid painkiller from Duke University, aims to relieve acute and chronic pain without the euphoric high associated with opioid addiction. The compound targets neurotensin receptor 1 (NTSR1) on sensory neurons and in the spinal cord, using biased agonism to activate a beta-arrestin-2 linked pain-relief pathway while avoiding other signals tied to side effects. In mouse tests, SBI-810 reduced pain from surgical incisions, bone fractures, and nerve damage, performed better than some existing treatments in certain settings, and prevented tolerance and common opioid side effects like constipation. The researchers also report that combining SBI-810 with opioids can make opioids more effective at lower doses, with early plans for human trials.