Addex Drug for Osteoarthritis Pain to Begin Clinical Trials

A drug being tested for osteoarthritis pain has proven effective in a model of OA pain. Manufactured by Addex Pharmaceuticals Ltd., ADX71943 modulates gamma-aminobutyric acid subtype B (GABA-B) receptors. These receptors are implicated in pain processing.

The company announced that phase I clinical testing should begin later this year.

"We believe the allosteric mechanism of ADX71943 is the key factor in the differentiated tolerability and lack of tolerance development observed in these preclinical studies. We look forward to testing this compound in humans, where we hypothesize that this product could provide not only a novel treatment for osteoarthritis pain, but also an important opioid-sparing therapy for other chronic pain indications," Addex CEO Vincent Mutel said, in a press release.

The drug was assessed by using a model of chronic nociceptive pain and significantly reduced “mechanical hyperalgesia and showed a trend toward recuing allodynia after both acute and sub-chronic dosing,” according to the press release.