SAN FRANCISCO, CA, USA I March 1, 2017 I Adynxx, a clinical stage biotechnology company developing a novel platform of first-in-class, disease-modifying pain therapeutics announced today that the first patient was dosed in a Phase 2 study of its lead product candidate, AYX1. The primary objectives of the study are to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a single, preoperative dose of AYX1 to reduce acute post-surgical pain and prevent chronic pain following surgery.

There are approximately 30 million inpatient surgical procedures performed annually in the United States and more than 70% of surgery patients experience moderate or severe post-surgical pain. Of those patients, fewer than half report adequate pain relief with currently available analgesics. In addition, depending on the surgical procedure, from 10% to more than 50% of patients will go on to develop chronic post-surgical pain. Although current therapies provide short-term relief of pain at rest following surgery, these therapies have limited effect on movement-evoked pain and do not prevent chronic post-surgical pain. Attempts to treat chronic post-surgical pain often include daily dosing of opioid-based medications that are associated with multiple adverse effects.

“In prior studies, a single preoperative administration of AYX1 provided a significant and sustained reduction in pain after surgery, and that includes both pain at rest and pain with movement,” said Donald C. Manning, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer of Adynxx. “With this study, we have the opportunity to further demonstrate that AYX1 speeds recovery from post-surgical pain and prevents chronic pain for those patients who would otherwise go on to suffer intractable and potentially debilitating pain following surgery.”

The 200-subject, eleven-center, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study will follow subjects for 90 days following total knee arthroplasty, with a primary endpoint of reduced pain with walking from day 7 to 28 compared to placebo. Secondary endpoints include the percentage of subjects with moderate to severe pain at 90 days following surgery (a measure representing the prevention of chronic pain), reduction of pain at rest and reduced time to achieve adequate pain control. Further details of the study can be found at www.clinicaltrials.gov.

“Given the prevalence and severity of chronic pain following surgery, combined with the lack of safe, effective and non-addictive treatment options, we believe AYX1 can fundamentally transform the treatment paradigm for post-surgical pain,” added Rick Orr, Adynxx Chief Executive Officer. “This study will position us to rapidly advance AYX1 into Phase 3 and ultimately provide a much-needed therapy for the benefit of patients and doctors alike.”

About Adynxx

Adynxx, located in San Francisco, California, is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing a transformative technology platform addressing pain at its molecular roots – preventing the development of pain following surgery and resolving established chronic pain conditions. Adynxx’s unique approach is to transform pain management by approaching pain as a disease rather than a symptom.

Adynxx’s lead compound, AYX1, is an investigational drug designed to reduce acute post-surgical pain and prevent the transition to chronic pain with a single administration at the time of surgery. Adynxx has successfully completed a safety Phase 1 and two proof-of-concept Phase 2 clinical studies of AYX1. Additional AYX drug candidate compounds designed to address a range of intractable neuropathic and inflammatory pain syndromes are also in development. Investors in Adynxx include Domain Associates and TPG Biotech.

About Domain Associates

Founded in 1985, Domain was one of the first venture capital firms to exclusively invest in the life sciences sector. Domain has been involved in the formation of more than 260 companies. Today, with more than $2.7 billion in capital raised, Domain is a proven healthcare venture capital leader with solid investment returns from companies built to advance human health.

About TPG Biotech

TPG Biotech is TPG’s life science venture capital platform. With $1.2 billion in assets currently under management, TPG Biotech focuses on subsectors such as therapeutics, medical devices, and healthcare services. The TPG Biotech team, which includes experienced investors, physicians, scientists, and technical experts, partners with innovative companies and talented entrepreneurs to expand and create new businesses. Since 2002, TPG Biotech has invested in more than 50 life science businesses.

SOURCE: Adynxx