Ion channels play a fundamental role in pain signalling by regulating the electrical activity and excitability of sensory neurons. Their involvement in chronic, neuropathic and inflammatory pain makes them important targets for the discovery of new analgesics.

Our scientists have extensive experience investigating therapeutically important and technically challenging ion channels involved in neuronal excitability and pain signalling, including Na_V1.7, Na_V1.8, Na_V1.9, K_V7, TRP channels, K2P channels and ASICs.

Metrion supports pain drug discovery from early target investigation and assay development through screening, compound characterisation and lead optimisation. Our capabilities combine high-throughput screening and automated electrophysiology with detailed manual patch clamp and translational neuronal assays, enabling compounds to be investigated at increasing levels of biological complexity.

From recombinant ion channel cell lines to rodent dorsal root ganglion neurons and human iPSC-derived sensory neurons, we can select the experimental system and level of biological complexity needed to answer the scientific question.

This enables researchers to investigate target function and pharmacology, characterise compound potency and mechanism of action, assess selectivity and explore compound effects in more physiologically relevant neuronal systems.

Our scientists select and optimise the most appropriate electrophysiology approach for each target, compound and research objective, generating reliable, relevant data so clients can make more informed drug discovery decisions.

Specialist focus: Ion channels are at the core of what we do.

Deep expertise: More than 250 years of combined ion channel drug discovery experience across electrophysiology, pharmacology, assay development, screening and compound optimisation.

Drug discovery perspective: Expertise spanning electrophysiology, pharmacology, assay development and compound optimisation.

Breadth of approaches: From high-throughput screening to detailed manual electrophysiology and native neuronal models.

Scientific partnership: Our scientists work as an extension of client teams, helping interpret results and determine the most valuable next experiments.

Read more about choosing the right CRO for ion channel drug discovery.

What is ion channel drug discovery?

Ion channel drug discovery focuses on identifying and developing compounds that modulate the activity of ion channels for therapeutic benefit. Ion channels regulate electrical signalling and many other physiological processes and are important drug targets across therapeutic areas including neuroscience, pain and cardiovascular disease. Drug discovery programmes can involve target validation, assay development, screening, compound characterisation, selectivity assessment and lead optimisation. Ion channel expertise is also critical to assessing potential cardiac safety liabilities during drug development.

Why choose a specialist ion channel CRO?

Ion channel drug discovery requires more than access to electrophysiology technology. It requires highly specialised scientists with deep expertise in ion channel biology, pharmacology and electrophysiology who can design the right experiments, troubleshoot complex assays and interpret functional data in the context of the wider drug discovery programme.

At Metrion, our scientists do not simply deliver data. We work collaboratively with clients to explain what the results mean, place them in the context of target biology and compound pharmacology, and provide scientific recommendations to help determine the most appropriate next steps. This combination of specialist expertise, expert interpretation and scientific partnership helps clients make better-informed decisions and progress their programmes with greater confidence.

How is electrophysiology used in ion channel drug discovery?

Electrophysiology is used in ion channel drug discovery to directly measure ion channel function and determine how compounds modify channel activity. Automated electrophysiology enables ion channel screening and compound profiling at scale, while manual patch clamp can provide detailed investigation of channel biophysics, pharmacology and mechanism of action. The appropriate approach depends on the target, compounds and scientific questions being investigated.

Which ion channel targets can Metrion support?

Metrion can support drug discovery programmes across the breadth of ion channel targets and families. Our specialist scientists have the expertise to develop and optimise assays for established, emerging and technically challenging ion channel targets, tailoring the experimental approach to the biology of the target and the specific needs of the drug discovery programme.

How does Metrion support pain and neuroscience drug discovery?

Metrion supports pain and neuroscience drug discovery by combining specialist ion channel expertise with functional assays spanning recombinant systems through to physiologically relevant neuronal models. This enables researchers to investigate target pharmacology, compound potency, selectivity and mechanism of action, and explore effects on neuronal excitability as programmes progress.

Can Metrion support ion channel programmes from assay development through lead optimisation?

Yes. Metrion can support ion channel programmes across the drug discovery journey, from target investigation and assay development through screening, hit identification, compound characterisation, SAR and lead optimisation. Our scientists can provide continuity across these stages, helping ensure experimental strategy and data interpretation evolve with the programme.