Media - Our stories

Explore our recent stories to see what drives us

28 May 2025

Exploring ways to break the cycle of pain at EFIC 2025

14th Congress of the European Pain Federation EFIC®, Lyon, France
Chronic pain puts a burden on people’s physical and mental wellbeing. At Europe’s largest congress on pain management and pain science, Grünenthal has engaged with the scientific community to showcase up to date scientific data and to explore new methodologies with the power to lift that heavy burden. Read more…

The global pain research community met in Lyon, France, for three days of interaction and inspiration at the European Pain Federation (EFIC) congress from April 24-26. Researchers, clinicians, health care professionals and patients met for lectures, workshops, training and networking opportunities. Grünenthal was present to share its insights and to engage in open discussions—with a sharp focus on the event’s unifying theme: Breaking the cycle of comorbidity of chronic pain and mental health disorders:

  • Organized debates resulted in lively discussions about how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can support clinical practices and break the cycle of pain. On top of this, Grünenthal hosted a “Break the Cycle Challenge” that emphasized the positive impact of exercise on chronic pain.
  • A very engaging symposium, moderated by Professor Baron, featured renowned experts Professor Crombez, Professor Viel, and Dr. Kender. Together, they provided a comprehensive view on the biopsychosocial burden of neuropathic pain and the therapeutic potential of topical TRPV1 agonists. The strong interest in the topic was evident from the high level of interaction between attendees and speakers following the presentations.
  • New data from the studies for neuropathic pain conditions CAPTRANE and more in particular CASPAR presented during the poster sessions, highlighted the link between offering solutions for pain and their positive impact on affective distress and wellbeing.
  • At the EFIC® Congress Grünenthal could once again showcase its role as a global leader in pain management. Our delegates engaged in in-depth discussions with numerous leading European pain experts and researchers, exploring opportunities for collaboration aligned with our vision of a world free of pain.

A definite highlight was the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the EFIC-Grünenthal-Grant (E-G-G), underlining Grünenthal’s long-term commitment to advancing pain research. Matias Ferraris, Head of Global Medical Affairs, was invited on stage alongside EFIC President Luis Garcia-Larrea to present the 2025 awards. For two decades, Grünenthal has supported early-career researchers through this initiative, enabling innovative projects that seek cutting-edge solutions for chronic pain treatment.

The true impact of this commitment was evident during the E-G-G breakfast event, which brought together past and current grant recipients to share progress on their projects and exchange ideas for future research.

By bringing together professionals from across disciplines, the EFIC Congress covers the full scope of pain management—from basic research to daily clinical practice. In this way, it paves the way for conversations about holistic approaches that relieve the physical burden of pain while also addressing the mental burden and enhancing quality of life for people with pain conditions. This year’s event was a big success.

M-N/A-HQ-05-25-0005

Share this story: