The Wire

Centipedes are probably the last thing you think about when dealing with chronic pain. But a new study has found that a small protein found in the Chinese red- headed centipede may hold the secret to treating the condition. One in five Australians will suffer with chronic pain in their lifetime and currently there is no known cure.

A joint Australian-Chinese study, published today in the journal PNAS, has found that the  centipede’s venom  is as potent as morphine when providing pain relief to mice. If the venom-based drug passes trial stages it could create a whole new class of drugs.