Virpax Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced results for a Swine Model pilot study for Probudur, Virpax?s long-acting liposomal bupivacaine formulation injected at a wound site to provide both immediate and extended pain relief. The pharmacokinetics (PK) and safety study of Probudur in the Swine Model was designed to determine the PK profile of Probudur as well as to ascertain any adverse effects on the pigs. Probudur was subcutaneously injected into 4 juvenile domestic pigs at a dose of 30 mg/kg and was well-tolerated by all of the pigs and demonstrated a long-term, slow-release profile.

Histopathology was also conducted at the injection site and Probudur was well-tolerated by all pigs in this study. Probudur is being developed to significantly reduce or eliminate the need for opioids after surgery in approved indications. Probudur is a local anesthetic that binds to the sodium channel, preventing pain signals from reaching the brain.

In pre-clinical studies, Probudur has shown long duration pain control for at least 96 hours, with a rat incisional model demonstrating analgesia for up to five days and in vitro studies demonstrating a slow release of bupivacaine that lasted for up to six days.