ATX01 is currently in Phase 2 clinical development in CIPN and EM. ATX01 is a non-opioid, locally acting Sodium-channel inhibitor, combining the active ingredient amitriptyline (AMT) with a bespoke proprietary topical formulation.

AMT, historically known for its use in depression, is known to exert some central analgesic effect, with the respective importance of its Sodium-channel inhibiting and mood-altering properties remaining a question. However oral AMT has limited efficacy on peripheral neuropathic pain such as CIPN and induces rate limiting side effects.

By contrast, when AMT is applied topically, it reaches the peripheral sensory neurons in the skin and effectively acts as an inhibitor of nociceptive voltage-gated sodium channels Nav1.7, Nav1.8 and Nav1.9 blocking the generation and transduction of the pain message⁵.

ATX01’s hydrogel formulation enables relevant concentrations of amitriptyline to access the target nerve fibers present in the skin of the painful feet and hands, whilst minimizing passage in the bloodstream⁶ and the risk of systemic side-effects and drug interactions.