STC-002

STC-002 is a topical small molecule drug candidate developed by SiteOne Therapeutics (acquired by Eli Lilly in 2025) for the treatment of ocular surface pain. It functions as a selective inhibitor of the voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.7 (SCN9A), a target that plays a critical role in the transmission of pain signals. Unlike conventional local anesthetics such as proparacaine, which can be toxic to the corneal surface with prolonged use, STC-002 is designed to provide targeted pain relief with improved tolerability. The program has been evaluated for conditions including dry eye syndrome, ocular surgery recovery, and ocular injury. In 2018, the program received NIH funding to support IND-enabling studies.