Snail's venom an effective painkiller

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Snail's venom an effective painkiller

08.07.2002 10.30 pm

A chemical compound found in the venom of toxic Australian marine snails

could eventually replace morphine in the treatment of chronic pain,

Melbourne researchers say.

The drug ACV1, thought to be more powerful and longer-lasting than morphine,

has been patented by University of Melbourne scientists after being isolated

from snails found on the Great Barrier Reef.

Researchers believe ACV1 could lead to a new era in the treatment of chronic

pain from cancer, Aids and arthritis, without the addiction and side-effects

of morphine.

The research team is now seeking a commercial partner to begin human trials

and to develop it as a medical treatment.

© 2002 New Zealand Herald

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