The compound's ability to act on both peripheral and central nervous systems presents a promising balance in pain management, potentially offering safer treatment options.

The development of SBI-810 aligns with ongoing efforts to address public health challenges related to chronic pain and the opioid crisis in America.

Opioids, while effective for pain relief, pose risks of dependence and severe side effects, highlighting the urgent need for safer alternatives.

The research was supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Defense, with contributions from a team of Duke scientists.

Chronic pain affects about one-third of the U.S. population, and while opioid overdose deaths are declining, they remain a leading cause of drug-related mortality, with over 80,000 deaths annually.

Despite a decrease in overdose deaths by 30,000 in 2024, over 80,000 Americans still die from drug overdoses each year, primarily due to opioids.

An experimental drug named SBI-810, developed at Duke University School of Medicine, offers pain relief without the side effects commonly associated with opioids.

Published in the journal Cell on May 19, 2025, the findings indicate that SBI-810 is effective for both acute and chronic pain in animal models.

Approximately 20% of adults in the U.S. report experiencing chronic pain, underscoring the demand for safer pain management solutions.