Neuropathic pain and the inability to live a fulfilling life

20% of European citizens suffer from some type of chronic pain, i.e. those that affect a person for a long period of time. The pain may even remain after the illness that caused it has been cured, gradually reducing the patient’s quality of life.

Within this type of medical condition is neuropathic pain, which is estimated to affect 8% of the European population. It is common to find this type of pain in individuals affected by nerve injuries. Besides, neuropathic pain can also appear in people suffering from diabetes or in patients receiving chemotherapy. Overall, this pain affects individuals who have suffered nerve damage or whose nervous system does not perform as it should.

People suffering from neuropathic pain are extremely sensitive to stimuli that would be harmless to anyone else. For example, the contact with a breeze of air or the touch of someone else’s hand can become an unbearable pain for those who suffer from neuropathic pain. According to University of Barcelona researcher Eugènia Pujol, it is not uncommon for these patients to develop depression. Therefore, curing neuropathic pain should be a major health concern.

Dangerous traditional solutions

For patients with chronic pain, such as neuropathic pain, it seems difficult to think of living a full and normal life. For this reason, treatments for neuropathic pain are so necessary. Traditionally, the use of antidepressants and opioids (morphine, for example) has been used to alleviate these conditions in the short term. However, 50% of patients do not see significant relief of their pain with these traditional treatments.

Moreover, this type of medication can be dangerous if not taken as directed and prescribed by a physician and the continued use of opioids over prolonged periods of time can lead to addiction and overdose. In low doses they lead to somnolence and dizziness, whereas if abused they can lower the heart and respiratory rate.

Neurofix and Fellow Funders: together against neuropathic pain

At Fellow Funders we are concerned about promoting essential sectors for society, such as biotech and the life sciences sector. Now Neurofix has joined our portfolio of projects. This company, based in Salamanca, is developing a new drug, NFX88, to treat neuropathic pain. This medicine is more than halfway to market and is currently completing its clinical phase 2A.

Therefore, Neurofix’s work to try to end this type of pain is praiseworthy. Moreover, the fact that this work is being carried out in Spain demonstrates the great research and business capacity of Spanish biotechnology companies. Neurofix’s support of the ESG criteria is also fully supported by Fellow Funders. To finance this great project, a funding round of 900,000 € has been launched, which will undoubtedly contribute to improving the quality of life of millions of people.