Neuropathic pain, arising from nerve injury, results in a chronic and debilitating form of pain that in the past has been poorly diagnosed and treated. During the past few years, intensive research has resulted in major progress towards understanding the basic mechanisms that contribute to this condition, and the renewed possibility of safe and effective medicines. Indeed, the next few years should see the first fruits of this labour reaching the market place and, with them, the opportunity to assess whether the scientific advances achieved have resulted in significant clinical improvement. In this article, some of the key compounds that will lead this charge and the clinical results obtained so far are discussed.