SiteOne Therapeutics, Inc. announced that it has entered into a strategic collaboration and licensing agreement with Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Under the terms of the agreement, the companies will work together to advance potent and selective inhibitors of sodium ion channel 1.7 (NaV1.7) as non-opioid therapeutics for the treatment of pain. SiteOne will be responsible for research and early preclinical development activities, with Vertex responsible for subsequent development, and commercialization.

SiteOne will receive an upfront payment and is eligible for development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments, and royalties from Vertex if the program succeeds. NaV1.7 is a type of sodium channel that is highly expressed in peripheral nerve fibers that play a critical role in the generation and conduction of pain signals. The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is responsible for alerting the body against surrounding harmful stimuli.

However, following insult or injury, the PNS often becomes sensitized, resulting in acute or chronic hypersensitivity disorders such as, pain, itch, and cough.