THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., July 29, 2026
Latigo Biotherapeutics announced that The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) has published positive clinical trial results for its investigational Nav1.8 inhibitor LTG-001, highlighting its potential as a non-opioid treatment for moderate-to-severe acute postoperative pain. The randomized, double-blind Phase 2 study enrolled 343 patients recovering from abdominoplasty and demonstrated that the high-dose LTG-001 regimen achieved the study’s primary endpoint of Summed Pain Intensity Difference over 48 hours (SPID48) with high statistical significance compared with placebo. The publication represents only the second original NEJM research article in the last 15 years reporting clinical results for a novel acute pain medicine, reinforcing the growing scientific interest in innovative non-opioid therapies amid the ongoing opioid crisis.
LTG-001 Delivers Rapid Pain Relief and Opioid-Sparing Benefits
The study found that high-dose LTG-001 (450 mg loading dose followed by 300 mg every 12 hours) achieved a SPID48 score of 62.1, representing the highest analgesic effect reported in a published industry-sponsored abdominoplasty trial. The investigational therapy also demonstrated approximately 50% greater analgesic effect than the opioid comparator Vicodin (hydrocodone/acetaminophen). Patients receiving LTG-001 experienced a median onset of meaningful pain relief in approximately 52 minutes, compared with 83 minutes for the opioid comparator. Additionally, 52.3% of patients treated with high-dose LTG-001 remained opioid-free throughout the 48-hour treatment period, compared with 22.1% in the placebo group. The lower-dose regimen also produced statistically significant pain reduction, further supporting the drug’s dose-response profile.
Safety Profile Supports Continued Clinical Development
According to the published findings, LTG-001 demonstrated a favorable safety and tolerability profile, with most treatment-emergent adverse events reported as mild to moderate. Notably, the overall adverse event rate was lower than that observed in the placebo arm, supporting the investigational therapy’s potential as a safer alternative for acute pain management. Researchers emphasized that selective Nav1.8 inhibition offers a targeted mechanism designed to block pain transmission without activating opioid pathways, potentially reducing the risks of dependence and addiction associated with conventional opioid medications. These results strengthen the scientific rationale for advancing LTG-001 through further clinical development.
Advertisement
Publication Highlights Growing Momentum for Non-Opioid Pain Innovation
Latigo executives and clinical investigators described the NEJM publication as a significant milestone that validates both the scientific quality of the study and the clinical potential of LTG-001. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Neil Singla noted that the publication contributes to the expanding evidence supporting non-opioid pain management strategies, while principal investigator Dr. Harold Minkowitz highlighted the therapy’s impressive efficacy compared with traditional opioid treatment. Chief Executive Officer Nima Farzan stated that publication in one of the world’s leading medical journals reflects the dedication of patients, investigators, and researchers working to develop innovative pain therapies. With its rapid onset of action, significant pain reduction, favorable safety profile, and opioid-sparing potential, LTG-001 could represent an important advancement in the future treatment landscape for acute postoperative pain.
Source:Latigo Biotherapeutics,press release
