First in class drug shows promise in preclinical neuropathic pain trials Kumar Jeetendra | November 16, 2023 A “ridiculous idea” inspired by ocean submarines has led to the discovery of a non-opioid, first-in-class drug candidate for neuropathic pain. Scientists attached a ‘chemical anchor’ to the anaesthetic drug propofol – avoiding side-effects by preventing it from penetrating the brain, but allowing it to sink into peripheral nerve cell membranes and inhibit the activity …