This invention is in the field of medicinal chemistry. In particular, the invention relates to a new class of small-molecules having a piperidinyl-benzoimidazole structure which function as antagonists of small ubiquitin like modifier (SUMO) related modification (SUMOylation) of collapsin response mediator protein 2 (CRMP2), and their use as therapeutics for the treatment of voltage gated sodium channel 1.7 (Nav1.7) related itch, anosmia, migraine event, and/or pain (e.g., neuropathic pain).