Nektar Therapeutics (NKTR) announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, has designated NKTR-181 as a Fast Track development program for the treatment of moderate to severe chronic pain. NKTR-181 is a novel mu-opioid agonist molecule, which is designed to have a slow rate of entry into the brain to reduce the attractiveness of the molecule as a target of abuse and to reduce its CNS-mediated side effects.
NKTR-181 was created using Nektar's proprietary polymer conjugate technology and its potential differentiating properties are inherent to the design of the new molecule. NKTR-181 is an NCE and as a new molecular structure does not rely on a formulation approach to prevent its conversion into an abusable form of an opioid.
Robert Medve, chief medical officer of Nektar, stated, "NKTR-181 could have significant advantages over currently-available opioids, including reduced attractiveness for abuse and reduced CNS-mediated side effects, such as sedation and respiratory depression. As a new chemical entity with these properties, we believe NKTR-181 has the potential to transform the treatment of chronic pain. We are excited about advancing NKTR-181 into Phase 2 development in July of this year."
For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com
Business News
June 05, 2026 16:18 ET A busy week for economic news flow saw a slew of reports being released that reflected the trends in the U.S. labor market. In Europe, economic growth and inflation data gained attention as the European Central Bank and Bank of England head for policy session later in the month. In Asia, the monetary policy session of the Indian central bank was in focus as the country, a major oil importer, reels under the pressures of a weaker rupee and rising inflation.