Slow is good

Nektar Therapeutics now has proof of mechanism for its small molecule polymer conjugates in a new therapeutic area: pain. Last week, the company presented Phase I data showing its novel mu opioid receptor agonist construct is safe and produces the expected delays in analgesia that Nektar hopes could reduce both side effects and the potential for abuse.

Opioid abuse and dependence are thought to be reinforced by the temporal association between a drug's administration and its euphoric effects. Separating the two is believed to make an agent unappealing to the recreational abuser, CMO Robert Medve told BioCentury...