AlzeCure Pharma AB (publ) announced that the company has selected a TrkA-NAM drug candidate, ACD137, and started the preclinical development phase with the compound. ACD137 is being developed within the TrkA-NAM project in AlzeCure's Painless platform, with the aim of developing a new pain-relieving drug for the treatment of osteoarthritis and other severe pain conditions. In the project, a drug candidate has now been selected to proceed into the preclinical development program, which includes safety and tolerability studies, as well as formulation work and stability testing.

ACD137 blocks NGF-mediated signaling via TrkA receptors, a biological mechanism with strong genetic, preclinical and clinical validation for its role in pain. AlzeCure has already demonstrated that TrkA-NAM substances have a potent analgesic effect in preclinical pain models. Studies also show that they have a substantial anti-inflammatory effect, something that can enhance the analgesic effects in clinical contexts and open up further areas of use.

Furthermore, effects have been seen on relevant biomarkers for inflammation and pain.