On the hunt: Finding molecular keys that can unlock relief in the human body

The groundwork:
Understanding pain.

Before we can effectively find molecules that can relieve pain, we must understand its pathophysiology. That’s a challenge, because pain is something we all feel differently. We can hardly measure personal perception in numbers or scales. But we can rely on our scientific curiosity and our appreciation for the complexity of chronic pain.

Learn more about the fundamentals of pain.

We follow a holistic approach to understanding pain, building our programmes on a firm foundation of human pathophysiology and human target validation. We reinforce our internal innovation capabilities through long-term R&D partnerships with leading institutions around the globe, always seeking to strengthen and expand our network of leading scientists. With our Innovation Hub, we have established a centre of excellence for pain research in the world’s most vibrant biotech community. We always put patients’ needs first. Ultimately, it is this dedication to both – science and the broader impacts on individuals’ lives – that leads us forward in our mission to alleviate pain and improve the quality of life for those who suffer.

The challenge:
Finding new substances

Discovering new substances equals a relentless pursuit of precision and innovation. Our teams are on the hunt for molecular keys that can unlock relief within the human body. This process is akin to the work of a key maker trying to find that one perfect key for a evaluation, and interdisciplinary teamwork is needed to shape ideal structures ready for the lab’s synthesis.

The fascination begins at the molecular level. Our researchers break down molecules into their elemental parts, reassembling them with the finesse only a deep understanding of chemistry can afford – and each single one has the potential to create significant impacts. Continuous optimization ensures these molecules are as specific and effective as possible. And even those molecules that don’t perform as hoped turn into stepping stones toward discovering the perfect therapeutic agent.

What’s most important: the focus on human validation and translational science. By working with primary cells and tissue samples from human donors, we look at what happens at the cellular level in the human body. This method allows us to validate our findings in models that progress from simplicity to complexity while always mirroring the human organism. It’s a shift that brings the potential for faster and more relevant medical advances, bypassing often unreliable results from non-human models.

The perspective:
Pioneering new technologies

Pioneering new technologies means reshaping how we approach drug development and research for chronic pain. Over the years, we’ve made tremendous strides in leveraging advanced technologies to enhance our scientific processes, representing a significant leap in our capabilities.

Through the use of advanced AI-enabled algorithms, we have moved beyond traditional manual methods of extracting information from microscopic images. AI helps us to process large quantities of data efficiently and empowers our researchers to gain deeper insights into the cellular level of human tissues. This significantly improves the speed and reliability of our research. And it helps us to develop eWective medication faster.