Scientist attempt to create new pain drug from... snail venom

Experts are attempting to create a pain relief drug derived from snail venom. Scientists have reported creating five new "experimental substances" based on a tiny protein found in the venom of a cone snail.The substances, which could potentially be stronger than morphine, could one day lead to the development of a drug to treat chronic nerve pain, they said.

Cone snails are marine animals that use venom to paralyse their prey.The venom contains hundreds of small proteins known as conotoxins which appear to have an analgesic effect in humans, he said.

Prof Craik and his team, who will present their finding at an American Chemical Society conference, are working to develop a conotoxin-based drug that can be taken orally - unlike the only drug that uses the protein now which must be injected into a patient's spine.Experiments on rats have shown that a prototype drug has been shown to "significantly reduce pain", he said.