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Ohio Companies Are Developing Technology To Prevent Opioid Addiction

AtriCure believes a device it developed can help with pain management.
WCPO
AtriCure believes a device it developed can help with pain management.

Ohio's bio science organization, Bio Ohio, will showcase technology Wednesday that area researchers are developing to combat the opioid crisis.

The conference, Neuroscience Discovery & Alternatives to Opioids, is open to the public and will be held November 14 at the Newport Aquarium.

When talking about the decision to include technology relating to opioids with the neuroscience conference, Bio Ohio CEO John Lewis says, "Yes, we do have a crisis, look what Ohio companies are doing to address this crisis. That's exciting."

One such technology comes from AtriCure in Mason. Lewis describes a device the company developed to treat atrial fibrillation that freezes the nerves in the chest. "It wasn't developed as a non-opioid procedure but they figured out, 'Oh my gosh, it is a non-opioid procedure,' " he says. "And now they're starting to work with the FDA and the National Institutes of Health."

Another example is the development of a targeted solution for multiple pain conditions from Sollis Therapeutics.

Sollis says it is developing an extended release non-opioid, non-steroid analgesic and anti-inflammatory drug placed into the lumbar epidural space to treat sciatica.

Ohio's Third Frontier made its first big investment in this company through its Neuro Tech Innovation Translator.

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With more than 30 years of journalism experience in the Greater Cincinnati market, Ann Thompson brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her reporting. She has reported for WKRC, WCKY, WHIO-TV, Metro Networks and CBS/ABC Radio. Her work has been recognized by the Associated Press and the Society of Professional Journalists. In 2019 and 2011 A-P named her “Best Reporter” for large market radio in Ohio. She has won awards from the Association of Women in Communications and the Alliance for Women in Media. Ann reports regularly on science and technology in Focus on Technology.