Pharmaceuticals
enterpriseTarget: Drug developer
If you are a drug developer dealing with the global opioid epidemic and 727,000 deaths — this project developed TAFA4 peptide derivatives that provide a non-addictive alternative for severe pain.
TAFALGIE · Project
Non-opioid drug candidates for moderate to severe pain without addiction risks
healthPilotedTRL 7
Imagine a volume knob for pain that doesn't cause the brain to become addicted to the drug. This technology uses a naturally occurring protein in the body to block pain signals before they reach the central nervous system. It acts like a smart filter, stopping the pain without the dangerous side effects of traditional opioids.
By the numbers
1.5 billion
people worldwide suffering from persistent pain
727,000
deaths from opioid addiction between 1999 and 2022
4
new patents added to IP portfolio
The business problem
What needed solving
Current pain treatments rely heavily on opioids, which lead to addiction and tolerance, contributing to a global health crisis. There is a critical lack of safe, non-addictive alternatives for moderate to severe persistent pain.
The solution
What was built
A portfolio of patented TAFA4 peptide derivatives and optimized manufacturing processes for intravenous, subcutaneous, and oral administration.
Audience
Who needs this
Pharmaceutical companies specializing in analgesicsBiotech firms focused on peptide synthesisClinical research organizations (CROs) in pain managementHospital networks managing chronic pain patients
Business applications
Who can put this to work
Healthcare Providers
mid-sizeTarget: Pain management clinic
If you are a clinic dealing with 1.5 billion people suffering from persistent pain — this project developed a disease-modifying treatment that reduces the risk of patient tolerance and addiction.
Biotechnology
SMETarget: Bioproduction firm
If you are a bioproduction firm dealing with the need for diverse administration routes — this project developed methods for intravenous, subcutaneous, and oral delivery of TAFA4 peptides.
Frequently asked
Quick answers
What is the cost or pricing of the treatment?
Based on available project data, specific pricing or cost per dose is not provided as the project is in the clinical phase.
How is the industrial scale of production handled?
The company has implemented both solid-phase chemical synthesis and bioproduction to enable various administration methods including oral and intravenous.
What is the IP and licensing status?
The company has diversified its IP portfolio with four new patents and holds a portfolio of patented TAFA4 peptide derivatives.
What is the timeline for market entry?
The project entered the clinical phase in May 2025, with the overall EU project period running until November 30, 2026.
How does this integrate into current medical practice?
It is designed as a first-in-class non-opioid analgesic that can be used for acute, moderate, and severe pain, as well as chronic pain prevention.
Consortium
Who built it
The project is led by a single French SME, Tafalgie Therapeutics, which is a spin-off from CNRS/IBDM. With a 100% industry ratio and a lean structure of 1 partner, the project is highly focused on commercial translation rather than academic exploration, leveraging 15 years of fundamental research.
How to reach the team
Contact Tafalgie Therapeutics in Marseille, France
Next steps
Talk to the team behind this work.
Contact us to explore licensing opportunities for TAFA4 peptide derivatives.
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