Positive results announced for Levicept’s moderate-to-severe osteoarthritis treatment
Natalia Elliot | August 6, 2024 | News story | Research and Development | Levicept, Rheumatology, osteoarthritis, trial
Biotechnology company Levicept has announced positive results from its phase 2 trial into LEVI-04, for the treatment of osteoarthritis.
LEVI-04 is a proprietary p75 neurotrophin receptor fusion protein (p75NTR-Fc) that provides analgesia via inhibition of NT-3 activity and returns neurotrophin homeostasis by supplementing the endogenous p75NTR binding protein to scavenge excess neurotrophins present in chronic pain states. In the 510 participant-strong study, LEVI-04 demonstrated a reduction of greater than 50% in the WOMAC pain score for all three doses given.
Professor Philip Conaghan MD, director NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre and principal investigator, said, “These results are truly exceptional and clinically meaningful in their extent. Safe and effective pain management is of critical importance in arthritis, with existing treatments limited by adverse effects, addiction liabilities and poor efficacy. In this trial, LEVI-04 has demonstrated the potential to safely harness the analgesic properties of neurotrophin-3 inhibition and offer a vital new treatment option to millions of patients in huge need. If phase 3 trials replicate these results, LEVI-04 would represent a major break-through for osteoarthritis treatment, and with substantial potential in other pain indications.”
Simon Westbrook, founder and CSO of Levicept,commented,“The discovery of LEVI-04 harnessed the power of evolution to design a molecule that supplements the endogenous NT regulator, soluble p75NTR. LEVI-04 provides analgesia via inhibition of neurotrophin-3, while avoiding the use-limiting side effects of anti-NGF antibodies, including rapidly progressive of osteoarthritis. LEVI-04 retains the important trophic effects of the neurotrophins, including joint re-modelling. We want to thank all the clinicians and trial participants and hope that the results bring the prospect of a new treatment for them and many others.”
James Spargo
6/8/24
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