Partnering in Non-Opioids: Q&A with Dr. Edward Littler and Dave Watson

The development of non-opioid pain management medication is a key issue for the pharma and biotech industry. While Americans are more aware than ever before of the dangers of opioids, the crisis is still ongoing.

For many patients, pain management isn’t an option, it’s the difference between being able to live a fulfilling life and not.

As such, multiple companies are investing heavily in the development of non-opioid pain medications to provide patients with a safer way to manage pain and discomfort.

Pharmaceutical Executive spoke with Dr. Edward Littler, executive chairman, and Dave Watson, CEO, of Persica Pharmaceuticals. Both leaders took on their roles around the same time, and have been working closely with eachother to drive the company forward with its mission to develop the desperately needed non-opioid pain medications.

Pharmaceutical Executive: How is the experience of having a new CEO and executive chairman starting at the same time?
Dr. Edward Littler: It’s been a really positive experience. We have not worked together before, but we share aligned values, a shared vision for Persica, and a common view of our immediate priorities and focus areas. In speaking with the board, existing shareholders, and the team, it was clear that everyone is committed to advancing PP353, and that our industry and leadership experience would be synergistic with each other and the strength of the existing team.

It has been a very smooth transition into our new roles. We have worked closely during our onboarding with the existing Persica team, ensuring we have a shared understanding of the past as well as assessing, individually and together, the ongoing needs of the business. As we have progressed, we have now settled into a more traditional Chair/CEO relationship and setup, with delineation of our roles, a strong working relationship, good momentum, and a clear view of what is needed to drive success for Persica.

PE: What is the importance of developing non-opioid pain medications?
Dave Watson: Developing non-opioid pain medications is critically important because chronic Low Back Pain is a debilitating and costly condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Its impact extends far beyond pain itself, affecting mobility, the ability to work, independence and overall quality of life. It is a major unmet medical need; many of us know someone whose life has been affected by it. While there is, importantly, significant demand for non-addictive, non-opioid therapies, the need for innovation goes beyond simply replacing opioids. Patients need meaningful disease-modifying pain therapies, particularly those with durable, evidence-based efficacy.

So, managing chronic Low Back Pain is not just about managing pain; it is also about reducing disability and restoring quality of life. Patients want to return to normal daily activities, work and independence. Most existing therapies focus on symptom control rather than the underlying drivers of the pain. PP353, Persica’s non-opioid therapeutic approach, is targeted at patients with vertebrogenic Lumbar Back Pain (vLBP) and Modic changes (which can be seen on an MRI scan). It focuses on the cause of the pain, not just the symptoms, and has the potential to provide more effective, durable relief and meaningful improvements in patients’ daily lives.

PE: What is the status of PP353?
Littler: Persica announced positive Phase 1b clinical data for PP353 last year. The randomised, double-blind, sham-controlled (placebo) trial showed that PP353 significantly reduced pain, improved patients’ ability to function in daily life, and reduced their use of painkillers, including opioids. The data was published in The Lancet’s eClinicalMedicine earlier this year. It was also selected for an oral presentation at the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP) 2026 Annual Meeting in March and received a Top Abstract Award.

We have had positive discussions with regulators and now have a clear path to registrational trials and Phase 3 design. We are looking forward to investigating PP353’s potential in later-stage trials in order to change the way vLBP is treated.

PE: What is your strategy for finding a partner to progress PP353 through trials?
Watson: PP353 is a Phase 3-ready asset, with compelling Phase 1b data that highlights its potential for treating pain in patients with chronic Low Back Pain, specifically those with vLBP. PP353 is first-in-class, with a differentiated, non-opioid mode of action and patented formulation. It has the potential to be a treatment option for five million patients in the US alone.

There has been limited innovation in the treatment of chronic Low Back Pain. The clinical recognition of Modic changes now enables a large, prevalent group of patients with a high unmet need to be easily identified. PP353 could potentially transform the treatment paradigm for these patients and we are keen to move its development forward.

We have a team and plan ready to deliver registrational studies for PP353 with support from additional investors and/or a company that recognises the potential therapeutic and commercial value of this asset. We have a number of ongoing active discussions and are excited about the future for PP353, and the impact it could have on millions of patients and their families.