Abstract
The recent cloning of vanilloid receptor 1 (TRPV1) from multiple species, together with published results showing efficacy of TRPV1 antagonists in animal models of pain, has led to substantial patenting activity by several major pharmaceutical companies and academic institutions. This review is focused on the patent literature related to non-peptidic small molecule TRPV1 antagonists. A total of 105 published patent applications claiming TRPV1 antagonists are reviewed during 2002 – 2005. Human clinical trials using TRPV1 antagonists are in the earliest stages and interest in this approach toward the treatment of various pain conditions appears to be growing annually.