Concentric Analgesics, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical firm specializing in innovative non-opioid pain treatments, has unveiled new positive clinical data for vocacapsaicin, its leading product candidate for managing postsurgical pain. The data will be presented in a poster session at the 2024 International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) World Congress, taking place from August 5-9, 2024, in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Concentric Analgesics, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company specializing in non-opioid pain therapies, has announced new clinical data for vocacapsaicin, its lead product for managing postsurgical pain. The data will be presented at the 2024 International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) World Congress, taking place August 5-9, 2024, in Amsterdam.
The poster presentation, titled “TRPV1 from Bench to Bedside: Vocacapsaicin Produces Durable Postsurgical Analgesia and Earlier Opioid Cessation,” highlights findings from Phase 2 trials involving vocacapsaicin for patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and bunionectomy. Both trials were multi-center, randomized, controlled studies that assessed postsurgical pain relief and opioid use following a single intraoperative dose of vocacapsaicin.
Vocacapsaicin is a novel, water-soluble prodrug of capsaicin, which, after local administration, activates the TRPV1 receptor on pain-specific nerves, providing long-lasting analgesia without sensory numbness or motor weakness. This contrasts with traditional local anesthetics like bupivacaine, which offer shorter-term relief and can cause numbness and weakness.
Key findings include:
- Bunionectomy Trial: Patients who received vocacapsaicin ceased opioid use by day 5, compared to 16% of the placebo group who still required opioids, with half of the placebo group still using opioids at the end of the two-week study.
- Total Knee Arthroplasty Trial: At two weeks, 38% of the vocacapsaicin group needed opioids compared to 58% in the placebo group, indicating a significant reduction in opioid consumption.
The reduction in opioid use is significant because persistent opioid use after surgery is a major risk factor for dependence and abuse. The recent Non-Opioids Prevent Addiction in the Nation (NO PAIN) Act, effective January 2025, aims to increase access to non-opioid pain management options by addressing reimbursement barriers for Medicare patients.
Dr. Harold Minkowitz, President of Analgesics at HD Research LLC and an investigator in both trials, remarked, “Vocacapsaicin’s unique mechanism allows for long-lasting pain relief and earlier opioid cessation, a significant advancement in postoperative pain management.”
Dr. Edwin Su, Attending Orthopedic Surgeon at Hospital for Special Surgery, added, “The reduction in opioid use and faster recovery times demonstrated in the TKA trial underscore vocacapsaicin’s potential to improve postoperative care.”
John Donovan, M.D., Founder and Chief Scientific Officer at Concentric Analgesics, noted, “Vocacapsaicin’s Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the FDA underscores its potential to transform pain management and reduce opioid dependence.”
Presentation Details:
- Title: TRPV1 from Bench to Bedside: Vocacapsaicin Produces Durable Postsurgical Analgesia and Earlier Opioid Cessation
- Date and Time: August 6, 2024, at 3:15 PM (local time)
- Poster Number: TU509
- Lead Author: Sam Teichman, M.D., Head of Clinical Development, Concentric Analgesics
- Presenter: Ben Vaughn, M.S., RAC, Chief Strategist Biostatistics and Protocol Design at Rho
About Vocacapsaicin:
Vocacapsaicin (formerly CA-008) is a pioneering prodrug that converts to capsaicin, a potent TRPV1 agonist. It is designed to provide effective postsurgical pain relief for up to two weeks, potentially reducing or eliminating the need for opioids. Vocacapsaicin has received Fast Track and Breakthrough Therapy Designations from the FDA.
About Concentric Analgesics:
Concentric Analgesics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing non-opioid pain treatments. The company’s innovative products aim to offer extended pain relief with a single administration. Phase 3 studies for vocacapsaicin are forthcoming, along with additional programs for osteoarthritis and chronic refractory pain.
