AlzeCure Pharma AB announced that the company has received positive data from the Phase IIa clinical study with the non-opioid drug candidate ACD440, which is developed against peripheral neuropathic pain. The phase II data show that ACD440 was able to demonstrate positive proof-of-mechanism (PoM) results in patients with chronic peripheral neuropathic pain, i.e. the drug candidate has an effect on the intended target mechanism. A significant analgesic effect was observed on pain induced by cold and heat.

This temperature hypersensitivity is very common in the skin area, where the patients have their neuropathic pain, and is a major problem in everyday life for these individuals. These positive phase II results are in line with previously reported Phase I results. ACD440 was well tolerated as a topical gel on the skin, which shows good suitability for continued clinical development, i.e. as a local treatment against neuropathic pain conditions.

ACD440 is a TRPV1 antagonist and first-in-class local treatment for patients with peripheral neuropathic pain. The discovery of TRPV1, which is the basis of the project, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2021. ACD440, which is applied as a gel, is the company's leading drug candidate within the Painless platform and completed a positive phase Ib study in 2021.