What’s in Store for 2027?
The non-opioid pain field has entered a defining new era. Following the first approval of a NaV1.8 therapy, developers are racing to determine what comes next: how to differentiate next-generation sodium channel approaches, capitalize on emerging opportunities in GLP-1 signaling, neurotrophin biology, potassium channels, gene regulation, and neuroimmune pathways, and build the translational evidence needed to turn promising biology into successful medicines. Bringing together leaders from Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Eli Lilly, AbbVie, Grünenthal, Xenon Pharmaceuticals, Levicept, NIH, and more, this summit will showcase the latest scientific breakthroughs, clinical data, and strategic insights shaping the future of pain drug development.
Designed for the industry's most senior decision-makers, with over 70% of attendees at the 2026 event representing C-suite, VP, and Director-level roles, this is where discovery scientists, translational leaders, clinical developers, business development executives, and investors come together to tackle the challenges holding the field back. From improving target and biomarker validation and patient stratification to placebo mitigation strategies, refining trial design, identifying investable assets, and learning from both successful and failed programs, join 150+ leaders at the dedicated forum for advancing the next generation of non-opioid pain therapeutics.
Key Features for 2027:
Where Is Investment Flowing in Pain? Pharma BD, Venture Capital & Deal-Making Priorities
Following headline transactions including Eli Lilly's $1B SiteOne Therapeutics acquisition, $285M 4E Therapeutics acquisition and AbbVie's $335M Haisco pain licensing deal, what does it take for a pain asset to attract serious investor and pharma interest? Join leading BD and venture experts to uncover the targets, technologies, and clinical data packages attracting capital, shaping partnership activity, and defining the next generation of non-opioid pain therapeutics with Eli Lilly, AbbVie, Aquilo, BGV Ventures, Novo Holdings, and BSQ Capital
Refining Sodium Channel Biology: Advancing the Next Generation of NaV1.8, NaV1.7 Therapies
Explore the opportunities and limitations of sodium channel modulation following the first NaV1.8 approval, and assess how developers are differentiating next-generation approaches through improved pharmacology, selectivity, target engagement, and patient selection with Latigo Biotherapeutics, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Grünenthal, Merck & Co, and NaV1.7 innovation from Xenon Pharmaceuticals and Navega Therapeutics
Beyond NaV: Expanding the Non-Opioid Pain Toolbox Through Novel Mechanisms
Discover emerging therapeutic approaches spanning potassium channels, GABA receptors, neurotrophin biology, GLP-1 signaling, monoamine reuptake inhibition, and other novel pathways that could reshape the treatment of acute, chronic, and neuropathic pain. Learn from innovators at Levicept, Xenon Pharmaceuticals, Eli Lilly, Shanghai SimR Biotechnology, and Maxona Pharmaceuticals.
Can We Finally Get Pain Trials Right? Overcoming Placebo Response & Learning from Failure
Examine how leading developers are improving signal detection through better patient selection, endpoint strategy, crossover designs, placebo mitigation techniques and biomarker integration, while re-evaluating whether failed programmes reflect flawed targets or flawed trials. Featuring experts from Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Tonix Pharma, Centrexion, Tris Pharma, the University of Maryland and US Pain Foundation leaders.
Matching Mechanism to Biology: Building More Predictive Discovery & Translational Strategies
Explore how human-relevant models, sensory neuron biology, translational biomarkers, experimental pain models, and emerging target discovery approaches are helping developers better understand pain heterogeneity and align mechanisms with the patients most likely to benefit. Featuring thought leaders from the NIH, University of Texas, 4E Therapeutics, Merck & Co, Boston Children's Hospital, and Harvard Medical School
Divide & Conquer at the Pre-Conference Day
The Pre-Conference Workshop Day provides a rare platform to break away from the main conference in smaller discussion groups on key pain topics limiting the field. Expect a mixed format of case studies, expert-led discussion, audience debate and collaborative problem-solving.
But beyond this, why should you attend the workshop day?:
Learn from experts through in-depth discussions, case studies and real-world development experiences
Explore topics in greater depth than is possible within a 30-minute conference presentation or panel
Share best practices and benchmark approaches with peers across discovery, translational and clinical development
Display thought leadership by contributing perspectives, experiences and solutions to shared industry challenges
Kickstart networking and build meaningful connections in a smaller, highly interactive setting
Track 1: Discovery & Preclinical Track
Designed for discovery scientists, pharmacologists, translational researchers, medicinal chemists, biomarker specialists and preclinical R&D leaders
Track 2: Translation & Clinical
Designed for translational medicine experts, clinical scientists, clinical development leaders, physician-scientists, medical directors and regulatory specialists
Attending Companies Include
Explore the Agenda
Dive into 2 tracks, spanning discovery – clinical development and access, 3 preconference day workshops and 30+ expert speakers shaping the future of pain therapeutics
Partner With Us
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Network with pharma, biotech, VC, academia, advocacy and regulatory voices driving real-world adoption