Concentric Analgesics, a biotechnology company, announced the presentation of clinical data for their drug vocacapsaicin at the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) World Congress. Vocacapsaicin, a unique non-opioid pain medication, has shown promising results in Phase 2 trials for patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty and bunionectomy.
Vocacapsaicin’s mechanism of action involves activating the TRPV1 receptor on pain-specific nerves, triggering prolonged analgesia without sensory numbness or motor weakness. Unlike local anesthetics, vocacapsaicin’s effects last for weeks to months.
In the bunionectomy trial, patients treated with vocacapsaicin discontinued opioid use by 5 days, compared to 16% in the placebo group. In the total knee arthroplasty trial, 50% fewer patients required opioids after two weeks in the vocacapsaicin group compared to placebo.
These findings support vocacapsaicin’s potential to reduce opioid dependence and abuse, particularly given the impending Non-Opioids Prevent Addiction in the Nation (NO PAIN) Act. By providing non-opioid pain management options, vocacapsaicin could enhance patient access to effective and less risky post-surgical pain relief.
The NO PAIN Act will remove barriers to reimbursement for Medicare patients seeking non-opioid pain treatments. This legislation is expected to drive further demand for medications like vocacapsaicin, which offers a safer alternative to opioids in managing post-surgical pain.
Jon Napitupulu is Director of Media Relations at The Clinical Trial Vanguard. Jon, a computer data scientist, focuses on the latest clinical trial industry news and trends.
