Clincal trials (Phase 2A) of conotoxin Vc1.1 (ACV1) from Conus victoriae were begun by Metabolic Pharmaceuticals, Melbourne, (www.metabolic.com.au) in September 2006. ACV1 is a synthetic 16 amino acid peptide drug designed from a component of the venom of the Australian marine cone snail, Conus victoriae, a mollusc hunting cone shell. In laboratory animals, ACV1 has profound, direct effects on pain sensing nerves in the peripheral nervous system called C-fibres, which are hypersensitive in neuropathic pain. It blocks a subtype of a broad class of receptors called neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) which reside on the C-fibres. ACV1 has been shown to directly reduce the sensitivity of sensitised C-fibres. It is the first drug to utilise this biochemical mechanism. ACV1 has been tested in several well-established animal pain models and shows efficacy in relieving the characteristic pain symptoms of neuropathy, allodynia and hyperalgesia, following subcutaneous or intramuscular dosing. In addition, evidence suggests that ACV1 accelerates the recovery of injured nerves and tissues. On 24 November 2006, Metabolic Pharmaceuticals announced that the Phase 2A programme for ACV1, for neuropathic pain is progressing well. This programme involves two human clinical trials targeting specific neuropathies. The first group of patients (with painful sciatica) in the first of two trials in this Phase 2A programme have been treated and the second trial (involving patients with painful shingles and others with painful diabetic neuropathy) is due to commence in Q107. Additionally, a separate trial to test safety of a higher dose level of ACV1 commenced in Q406. PODCAST An interview with Bruce Livett, one of the researchers who discovered ACV1, is available on the web as a podcast at: http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/podcast/innovations/innovations_20060410.m p3 VIDEO You may also like to view an excellent video of cone shell envenomation from National Geographic which has come to my notice: http://www3.nationalgeographic.com/animals/video/snail_cone.html Enjoy ! Bruce Livett ---------------------------------------------------------------------- [log in to unmask] - a forum for informal discussions on molluscs To leave this list, click on the following web link: http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=conch-l&A=1 Type your email address and name in the appropriate box and click leave the list. ----------------------------------------------------------------------