#United States #Osteoarthritis #Vascarta #VAS-101 #Summit

Vascarta Completes Phase 1 Clinical Trial of VAS-101 for Osteoarthritis Treatment

Vascarta Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on innovative pain and inflammation therapies, has announced the successful completion of its Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating VAS-101 (Vasceptor®) for treating osteoarthritis (OA). This milestone is significant as it highlights Vascarta's commitment to finding effective, non-invasive solutions for patients suffering from chronic pain.

The clinical trial, conducted at Clinical Research Australia in Perth, involved 60 participants in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled setup. The trial lasted for 28 days and assessed the effects of a highly concentrated curcumin gel, VAS-101, applied topically every other day. The primary aim was to evaluate VAS-101's efficacy in alleviating pain in adults with chronic knee OA. Additionally, secondary objectives included examining the treatment's safety, tolerability, quality of life improvements, and the need for analgesics.

Promising Results from the Study

Dr. Adrian Lopresti, the Principal Investigator, emphasized the challenges associated with oral curcumin consumption due to its low bioavailability, which reduces its therapeutic potential. However, the findings from this study indicate that VAS-101, through its topical application, provided promising pain relief effects for individuals suffering from knee osteoarthritis. Dr. Lopresti noted that Vascarta's proprietary Vasporta™ transdermal technology could effectively overcome the limitations of oral curcumin, allowing for rapid, localized pain relief at significantly lower doses.

Addressing a Growing Need

The need for effective osteoarthritis treatments is underscored by statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which indicated that about 21% of U.S. adults were diagnosed with arthritis between 2019 and 2021, particularly affecting the knee joint. Traditional therapies often escalate from oral medications to invasive options like corticosteroids and surgical interventions. With many patients unable to tolerate long-term use of NSAIDs, Vascarta's research aims to fill this critical gap in treatment options.

Leadership Perspective and Future Steps

Dr. Richard Prince, Chairman and CEO of Vascarta, outlined the importance of this Phase 1 trial's success, referring to osteoarthritis as one of the most common and debilitating chronic conditions. The completion of this trial is viewed as a pivotal advancement towards providing a safer and more effective non-invasive option for patients globally.

As Vascarta moves forward, it is anticipated that additional publications or presentations of the study data will emerge in the following months, further illuminating the potential of VAS-101 in osteoarthritis management. By focusing on innovative delivery methods and curcumin's analgesic properties, Vascarta lives up to its mission to improve the quality of life for individuals suffering from inflammatory conditions.

About Vascarta

Vascarta is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company dedicated to developing advanced topical and transdermal therapies for various inflammatory conditions, with significant emphasis on osteoarthritis and sickle cell disease. For further information about Vascarta's clinical programs, individuals can reach out to their media inquiries.

For the latest updates from Vascarta or detailed insights into their research efforts, visit Vascarta's website.