Conotoxin peptide under investigation as an analgesic drug
Leconotide (INN; development codes CNSB004 and AM336; also known as ω-conotoxin CVID) is an ω-conotoxin peptide isolated from the venom of Conus catus which is under investigation as an analgesic drug for the treatment of pain conditions.[1][2]
It acts as an N-type voltage-gated calcium channel (Cav2.2) blocker and is highly selective for this channel over the related P/Q-type voltage-gated calcium channel (Cav2.1).[1][2]
Relative to ziconotide, leconotide is advantageous in that it is significantly less toxic, and for that reason can be administered intravenously as opposed to via intrathecal injection.[3][4][5]