Tonix Pharmaceuticals Announces Licensing TNX-4900, a Selective Sigma-1 Receptor Antagonist for Chronic Neuropathic Pain from Rutgers University

Core Insights - Tonix Pharmaceuticals has licensed exclusive worldwide rights to TNX-4900, a selective Sigma-1 receptor antagonist, which has shown analgesic activity in various neuropathic pain models [1][2] - The company aims to advance TNX-4900 through further pharmacokinetic, formulation, and safety studies to support IND-enabling development [4] Company Overview - Tonix Pharmaceuticals is a fully-integrated biotechnology company with marketed products and a pipeline focused on central nervous system disorders, immunology, immuno-oncology, rare diseases, and infectious diseases [5] - The company markets FDA-approved TONMYA, a non-opioid analgesic for fibromyalgia, and has additional treatments for acute migraine [5] Product Development - TNX-4900 was developed using computer-aided and AI-driven approaches, demonstrating robust analgesic efficacy and a favorable safety profile in preclinical models [2][4] - The compound binds to the human Sigma-1 receptor with a nanomolar affinity (Ki = 7.5 nM) and shows over 100-fold selectivity over the Sigma-2 receptor, with an oral bioavailability of approximately 28% [2] Research and Innovation - Foundational research into TNX-4900 represents a significant step towards developing non-opioid solutions for chronic pain, addressing the need for safer pain management options [3] - The compound has produced significant and durable reductions in pain behaviors in preclinical models without evidence of tolerance or motor impairment [4]