Wikipedia
Tectin is the brand name of a pain killing drug currently in development by WEX Pharmaceuticals Inc. The drug is a purified version of the main toxin in the pufferfish, tetrodotoxin, a very potent neurotoxin which shuts down electrical signaling in nerves by blocking sodium channels on nerve cell membranes.
Tectin holds promise to relieve severe pain when other standard pain relievers are found to be ineffective. It is also being researched as a drug to relieve the symptoms of withdrawal in opiate addicts. The drug showed promising results in Canadian phase IIa clinical trials for the treatment of cancer related pain. However interim results from the phase IIb/III clinical trial where the drug did not meet the primary efficacy goal has led to the termination of this trial.
Tectin may refer to:
- Tectin (drug) - for treatment of pain
- Tectin (secretion) - a proteinaceous substance secreted by protists
Tectin is an organic substance secreted by certain ciliate protozoans. Tectin may form an adhesive stalk, disc or other sticky secretion. Tectin may also form a gelatinous envelope or membrane enclosing some ciliates as a protective capsule or lorica. Tectin is also called pseudo chitin. Granules or rods (called protrichocysts) in the pellicle of some ciliates are also thought to be involved in tectin secretion.