People with rare and chronic disease often suffer from long term pain. New ways to alleviate this pain are needed.

According to a press release from Tris Pharma, the results from their two Phase 3 trials showed that their study drug cebranopadol  for pain, showed significant pain reduction,  a strong safety profile and a lower abuse potential than oxycodone and tramadol.

• A New Way to Work: Most strong painkillers only target one “doorway” in the brain (the MOP receptor). This medicine targets two. It aims to provide “meaningful pain relief” while naturally lowering the risks of addiction and breathing problems.
• Proven Results: The medicine was tested after two different types of surgery—a stomach surgery and a toe surgery. In both cases, it significantly lowered pain levels compared to a “dummy pill” (placebo).
• Fewer Opioids Needed: One of the most exciting results was that more than half of the patients in the toe surgery study “required no rescue medication.” This means they didn’t need to take any traditional opioids to get through their recovery.
• Safety First: The study showed the drug was “generally well tolerated.” While some people felt a bit nauseous or had a headache, almost everyone (over 97%) was able to finish the study without any serious problems.
• The Big Picture: Experts believe this could “redefine the standard of care.” It offers a path to treating severe pain early so it doesn’t turn into a long-term, chronic problem, all while being “less abusable” than common drugs like oxycodone.

This medicine is still being studied, but the company is working toward getting it approved by the FDA so it can be used in hospitals and clinics.