Coolblock: botanical cooling patch for diabetic nerve pain relief

Overview

CoolBlock is an innovative solution designed to relieve painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (pDPN) symptoms. It integrates a botanical sensitizer with cooling technology to block nerve conduction efficiently. The patch combines plant-derived ingredients such as ethanol, vanillin, limonene, and oleic acid with menthol, a familiar over-the-counter analgesic, for fast and effective relief. CoolBlock cools the skin to approximately 0°C, bringing sensitized nerves into the optimal 15–30°C range for conduction blockage. This targeted approach is noninvasive, needle-free, and requires no prescription, making it accessible for diabetic patients seeking an easy-to-use solution.

Technical specifications

• Botanical Sensitizer: Utilizes a combination of ethanol, vanillin, limonene, and oleic acid to enhance nerve conduction blockage.
• Cooling Mechanism: Cools the skin to about 0°C, effectively blocking nerve conduction in the 15–30°C range.
• Menthol Active: Incorporates OTC menthol for additional consumer-recognized pain relief.
• Noninvasive Design: Easy self-application with no measurable systemic exposure or sedation.
• Patent Protection: Filed patent application WO2025175120A1 ensures freedom to operate and develop a low-cost applicator.

Technology readiness level

CoolBlock is at a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 5. Ongoing efforts include optimizing formulation and conducting a clinical pilot study to validate the efficacy of the patch. The development plan includes building a low-cost applicator and preparing for regulatory submissions to enable over-the-counter availability.