Dogwood Therapeutics (Nasdaq DWTX) is a development-stage biotechnology company focused on advancing novel therapeutics for pain and neuropathy.

Dogwood’s lead product, Halneuron®, is a highly selective sodium channel blocker being developed to treat moderate-to-severe chemotherapy induced neuropathic pain (CINP), cancer related pain (CRP), and other pain indications. Halneuron is a small molecule that reduces pain transmission by blocking Nav 1.7, a sodium channel involved with the initiation and conduction of nerve impulses in the peripheral nervous system.

Dogwood Therapeutics has the rights to develop and commercialize SP16 IV, a low-density lipoprotein receptor related protein-1 (LRP1) agonist with potential to treat neuropathy and prevent or repair nerve damage following chemotherapy. SP16 acts as an LRP1 agonist that in turn provides alpha-1-antitrypsin-like activity. Consistent with alpha-1-antitrypsin anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory actions, SP16 preclinically demonstrated anti-inflammatory (analgesic) action via potential reductions in IL-6, IL-8, IL1B and TNF-alpha levels, as well as potential to repair damaged tissue via increases in pAKT and pERK that regulate fundamental processes like growth, proliferation, and survival. The forthcoming SP16 IV Phase 1b CINP trial is fully funded by the National Cancer Institute.