The Center for Advanced Pain Therapeutics and Research (CAPToR) has officially opened at the University of Florida under the direction of Dr. Rajesh Khanna.
Chronic pain affects millions of people across the country, often with life-altering consequences. At the same time, the opioid crisis has underscored the urgent need for safer, more effective treatments. CAPToR was created to meet this challenge head-on. Housed within the UF College of Medicine, the center brings together experts from across disciplines—including neuroscience, pharmacology, engineering, and veterinary medicine—to develop innovative, non-addictive solutions for managing pain.
CAPToR’s research focuses on understanding how pain becomes chronic and identifying new ways to treat it at the molecular level. Using cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence, stem cell-based models, and high-throughput screening, the center is accelerating the discovery of next-generation therapeutics. CAPToR also collaborates with the UF College of Veterinary Medicine to explore pain relief strategies for animals, expanding its impact beyond human health.
As part of its mission, CAPToR is launching a robust calendar of events to foster collaboration and share knowledge. This includes the annual CAPToR Symposium, a full-day event featuring national leaders in pain research, and the CAPToR Pain Seminar Series, a monthly forum for exploring emerging science and therapeutic innovation. With a growing network of partners and a bold vision for the future, CAPToR is poised to become a national leader in pain research and a driving force in the development of non-opioid therapeutics.