A toxin found in shellfish that can make people incredibly sick may soon be used in hospitals all around the world, with the help of Kiwi researchers.
Nelson’s Cawthron Institute is helping produce the first algae-based anaesthetic with the intention of it being used during and after surgeries.
The Cawthron Institute’s Dr Johan Svenson says it’s really exciting to be able to finally talk about the project.
"It has amazing potential because it won't necessarily solve the opioid crisis but it is an opioid replacement".
Neosaxitoxin is found in many shellfish and is incredibly potent but in the right dose, researchers are optimistic about its use in a medical setting.
Svenson says about half a litre of water would produce more than 12 million doses.
The Institute is working with Dr Charles Berde, a pain specialist at Boston Children’s Hospital. If successful, this research could provide an alternative to opioids.
“The world wide impact of that for children, as well as adults we believe would be enormous. Enormous in terms of patients well being, in terms of health care costs, in terms of access in moderate and low-resourced countries,” he said.
His research has been underway for around two decades but the issue has always been producing enough high quality neosaxitoxin.
That’s where the Cawthron Institute, who have been working with algae for decades, come in.
Micro algae are grown in large tanks and after a few weeks the water is removed, the algae harvested and the toxin is removed.
The first phase clinical trial with around 80 people found the toxin was long lasting and there were limited side effects. But second and third phase trails are still needed, after which the drug would face regulatory approval.
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