Snail venom may be a potential painkiller

Published: 22-Aug-2002


University of Melbourne scientists have high hopes for a compound derived from a toxic marine snail that could relieve chronic pain. The venom - from the beautiful but deadly coneshell - is forming the base for a powerful new pain-relieving drug. In laboratory studies the drug, ACV1, is more powerful and longer lasting than morphine, the researchers claim. It is not addictive and lacks morphine's side-effects of constipation and respiratory depression.

'We have advanced the research to a stage where we now seek a commercial partner to take this novel compound to human trials and develop it as a treatment for chronic pain,' said the project's team leader, Associate Professor Bruce Livett.

You may also like