The French startup targeting addiction-free pain relief

A French startup is tackling one of modern medicine’s biggest challenges: the need for safe, effective pain treatment without the risk of addiction. Tafalgie Therapeutics, based in Marseille, is developing a new class of non-opioid drugs that leverage TAFA4 – a naturally occurring protein that regulates pain. 

With support and advice from the Enterprise Europe Network, the company secured substantial funding from the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator. Now entering clinical trials, Tafalgie’s innovation could reshape global standards of care for both chronic and acute pain.

Developing a global non-opioid pain therapy

Tafalgie Therapeutics was founded in 2020 to address what it saw as an unmet and urgent medical need: treating pain without the risks and limitations of opioids. Its candidate drug, based on the protein TAFA4, offers both preventive and curative pain relief without the side effects of tolerance or addiction – a major advance built on 15 years of public research into the biology of chronic pain.

By 2022, the startup realised that it would need significant investment to scale its development and prepare for clinical trials. "The turning point came when we realised that EIC funding was necessary to strengthen our team and clarify our development strategy," said Eric Schettini, president of Tafalgie Therapeutics. 

Although the EIC Accelerator application process was intense, it also presented an opportunity for growth according to Schettini, who said that it helped them to structure themselves in terms of organisation, staffing and strategic vision.

The EUR 2.5 million grant they received, with up to EUR 6 million in equity still to come, is already being put to work. "The EIC funds enabled us to accelerate the final preclinical developments and the entry into human trials of our first drug candidate. This first clinical study began in the spring of 2025."

With a market estimated at over USD 100 billion annually and dominated by opioids, Tafalgie is preparing to scale carefully and strategically. "We will approach it gradually and opportunistically, with the ambition of reaching peak sales after 10 years on the market," said Schettini.

Tailored Enterprise Europe Network support boosted their chances of success

The Enterprise Europe Network was instrumental in helping Tafalgie navigate the complexity of the EIC Accelerator. Nicolas Chéhanne from risingSUD saw the potential from the outset. "Tafalgie Therapeutics ticked all the boxes for EIC funding," said Chévanne. "Strong science, clear societal impact and an experienced team." 

From the moment the company agreed to pursue the grant, risingSUD mobilised a tailored support plan, co-financed by the regional government, and brought in an external consultant. "We helped organise multiple pitch reviews and prepared the team for the critical final step: the in-person jury," said Chévanne.

Known as the ‘grand oral’, this final stage was a significant challenge - a high-pressure 10-minute pitch followed by expert questioning. "risingSUD and the other partners coached us through about 30 mock orals," recalls Schettini. "In hindsight, this preparation was key to our success."

In just 10 months from first contact with the Enterprise Europe Network, Tafalgie Therapeutics had secured not only millions in EU funding, but also validation and increased visibility.

As Chévanne put it: "Competing in the EIC Accelerator is like running a major fundraising campaign - nothing should be left to chance."