Centrexion's pain candidate passes Phase IIb test

Centrexion Therapeutics Corp. (Boston, Mass.) said pain candidate CNTX-4975 met the primary endpoint in a Phase IIb study to treat osteoarthritis (OA) knee pain. Compared with placebo, each of two tested doses significantly reduced walking pain as measured by Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) scores. The company expects to begin a Phase III study of the candidate next year.

Centrexion said a single injection of 0.5 and 1 mg doses of CNTX-4975 significantly improved WOMAC scores at 12 weeks, with the 1 mg dose improving weekly and daily pain measures (p<0.001). The higher dose met secondary endpoints evaluating stiffness, function and patient global impression of change (PGIC), as well as proportion of patients with pain reduction. This dose also met an endpoint measuring duration of responses at 24 weeks vs. placebo, with maximum effect at week five. ...