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Highlights
- Successful Study Completion: U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research (USAISR) completes full study on Probudur™ for post-surgical pain.
- Promising Pain Reduction: Probudur showed a significant reduction in incision-induced pain behaviors in a rat model, reinforcing previous pilot study findings.
- Potential Opioid Alternative: Designed for long-lasting pain control, Probudur demonstrated analgesia for up to five days, aiming to reduce opioid reliance post-surgery.
Virpax Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:VRPX), a company focused on developing non-addictive pain management solutions, announced the successful completion of a study on its investigational local anesthetic, Probudur™, conducted by the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research (USAISR). The study builds upon a prior pilot trial and further supports Probudur’s potential to provide long-lasting pain relief post-surgery.
Study Findings: Reduced Pain with Extended Relief
The study aimed to determine whether Probudur could effectively reduce pain behaviors in a rat model of incisional pain. Using surgical procedures identical to the initial pilot study, researchers compared Probudur with free bupivacaine and EXPAREL®, alongside a saline control group.
Results indicated that Probudur significantly reduced pain behaviors, aligning with previous preclinical observations. The formulation was shown to bind to sodium channels, blocking pain signals to the brain, and providing prolonged analgesia.
Long-Lasting Pain Control & Opioid Reduction
Preclinical studies have demonstrated that Probudur can offer pain relief for at least 96 hours, with rat models showing up to five days of sustained analgesia. In vitro data further supports the drug’s slow-release mechanism, with bupivacaine release extending up to six days.
Jatinder Dhaliwal, CEO of Virpax, expressed optimism about the results, stating:
"These positive findings are consistent with our previous observations, and we are encouraged by the potential of Probudur to provide safe and effective post-surgical pain control while reducing the need for opioids."
Next Steps & Future Implications
Virpax aims to continue the development of Probudur as a long-lasting, non-addictive pain management solution for perioperative care. The company’s ongoing research efforts align with its broader mission of providing safer alternatives to opioids for post-surgical pain relief.
