Currently opioids and ketamine are the mainstay of treatment for acute severe pain. However these analgesics have significant adverse effects at both individual and social levels; so alternative strong pain relief medication is urgently needed. Over the last decade, Professor Sleigh and Dr Voss have studied the mechanisms of action of different ketamine-like molecules. They have produced a body of knowledge around these analogues and have promising evidence of prolonged pain relief without sedation or hallucinations - seen with one molecule called R5. Recently Dr Irani has identified a novel molecular analgesic target (the potassium channel TWIK-1), using sophisticated super-computer molecular dynamics simulations. The next steps towards using such drugs in clinical practice will involve a collaboration with Drs Whittle and Oliver at the Liggins Institute, to establish R5 analgesic efficacy, and conduct further computer modelling for potential side effects to exclude early any new candidate analogues with receptor-level effects likely to cause seizures and/or respiratory depression.
Professor Jamie Sleigh, Waikato Clinical School, University of Auckland, New Zealand; Dr Nicola Whittle, Dr Logan Voss, Waikato Hospital, New Zealand.
The project was awarded A$69,560 funding through the ANZCA research grants program for 2025.