Precision Pain Management
Selective, Durable Relief from Intractable Pain
Precision Pain Management
Selective, Durable Relief from Intractable Pain
Welcome to NK-One Therapeutics
Mission
We are dedicated to eliminating chronic pain starting with debilitating cancer pain in order to enhance quality of life of patients suffering with intractable pain.
Technology
NK-OneTherapeutics is developing a proprietary platform of targeted toxins to selectively disable pain signaling receptors that are the gateway from peripheral pain to central sensitization. This molecular disruption can provide lasting relief from non productive pain.
Precision
Our 'molecular scalpel' approach features direct injection of a receptor specific, mechanistically aligned toxin. By targeting the primary pain expressing neurons the 'sensory' effects related to pain are silenced while motor function is preserved. This selective targeting means a broad range of 'non productive' pain can be silenced, while protective acute pain signaling pathways are maintained.
Validated
Our platform has been demonstrated to be effective in robust preclinical trials involving multiple species including large canine clinical trials. This means our precision therapy can be used in both humans and by veterinarians to address painful conditions causing suffering in people and animals.
The Silent Crisis of Cancer Pain
Cancer Pain
One third to half of all patients with a cancer diagnosis will experience moderate to severe pain. But for those whose cancer advances or progresses to metastatic disease up to 66% can experience severe pain (1).
Resistant Cancer Pain
Even with significant advances in the treatment of pain, up to 20% of those with advanced cancer will experience pain that is resistant to current standards of care (2).
Impact
Chronic pain is associated with all cause mortality in the cancer population.(3) However, poorly controlled cancer pain has been shown to shorten survival by 20 months in older adults (9 months vs 29 months).(4)
Focus
Our highly selective toxins are currently being assessed in active human clinical trials.
References
1) van den Beuken-van Everdingen MHJ, et al. "Prevalence of pain in patients with cancer: a systematic review of the past 40 years." Annals of Oncology, 2007; 18(9): 1437–1449.
2) Aaron Lawson McLean, Julian Kahr, Jean Régis, Marcel A. Kamp, Christian Senft; Epidemiology of Resistant Cancer Pain: Prevalence, Clinical Burden, and Treatment Gaps. Stereotact Funct Neurosurg 2025
3) Zhang Y, Guo Y. Chronic pain is a risk factor for all-cause and cancer-specific mortality in cancer survivors: a population-based cohort study. BMC Public Health. 2025 Jan 25;25(1):325
4) Gabbard J, Isom S, Statler T, Asselin J, Callahan KE, Pajewski NM, Wagner LI, Parala-Metz A, Tooze JA, Klepin HD. Patient-reported pain severity is associated with shorter survival in older adults with newly diagnosed cancer. Support Care Cancer. 2025 Jul 26;33(8):722.
NK-One Leadership Team
Michael Shine, MBA CEO
Greg Hockel, PhD. Regulatory Head
Michael Shine, MBA CEO
Mike is an experienced CEO and longtime biotechnology executive and entrepreneur. Prior to NK-One Therapeutics he was interim CEO of OrthoCellix a cell therapy subsidiary of a public company. Previously Mike co founded and was CEO of NovaPharm Therapeutics which developed a breakthrough treatment for rare pain conditions leading to a successful partnership.
Marco Pappagallo, M.D. CMO
Greg Hockel, PhD. Regulatory Head
Michael Shine, MBA CEO
With a career in neurology that spans 36 years, Dr. Pappagallo has held multiple Chief Medical Officer and Sr. Medical Advisory roles in the pharmaceutical industry in the field of pain management. He was a co founder of NovaPharm Therapeutics, has authored more than 150 papers in pain and neurobiology, and holds numerous patents.
Paul Silver, PhD. CSO
Greg Hockel, PhD. Regulatory Head
Greg Hockel, PhD. Regulatory Head
A seasoned drug development expert, Paul has 44 years of experience in pre-clinical and clinical development of numerous drugs on the market today. He was a cofounder of NovaPharm and a Global Program Development Team Leader at Wyeth in Neurosciences. Paul has authored 120 papers and holds 5 patents.
Greg Hockel, PhD. Regulatory Head
Greg Hockel, PhD. Regulatory Head
Greg Hockel, PhD. Regulatory Head
An industry veteran of more than 40 years, Greg has a distinguished career in regulatory affairs. He has submitted more than 200 Investigational New Drug applications (INDs) and has seen more than 50 of those result in New Drug Applications (NDAs) or Biologics License Application (BLAs).