M-02

M-02 is an investigational small molecule drug developed by Shanghai Hanmai Biopharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd. for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation (OIC). It functions as a peripherally acting mu-opioid receptor antagonist (PAMORA). OIC is a common and debilitating side effect of opioid therapy, caused by the activation of mu-opioid receptors in the gastrointestinal tract, which leads to decreased intestinal motility and secretion. M-02 is designed to selectively bind to these peripheral receptors without crossing the blood-brain barrier in significant amounts, thereby alleviating constipation symptoms without compromising the central analgesic effects of the opioid medication. As of 2023, M-02 has progressed into Phase 2 clinical trials in China.