US-based Virpax Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: VRPX) has announced the engagement of advisors to help search for a licensing partner for its non-opioid pain drug Envelta (NES100; enkephalin nasal formulation) in China. Virpax has appointed New England Investors as its out-licensing advisor to support the commercialization of Envelta, a treatment for acute and chronic pain, including non-cancer pain.
Envelta: Innovative Pain Management
Envelta is an intranasal spray of enkephalin nanoparticles that utilizes Molecular Envelope Technology (MET) to deliver the drug across the blood-brain barrier via the olfactory route while bypassing the liver. This unique administration route may help avoid the numerous side effects associated with traditional pain medications. Virpax has filed for patent protection for Envelta in China, positioning the drug for potential market entry.
China’s Pain Management Landscape
Improving pain management is a priority for healthcare regulators in China. Last month, the National Health Commission released plans to pilot Integrated Pain Management in hospitals across the country. Amid this regulatory push, Virpax’s Envelta could offer a novel solution for managing both acute and chronic pain without the risks associated with opioid-based therapies.-Fineline Info & Tech
