Cara Therapeutics to Present Data at Kidney Week 2016

STAMFORD, Conn., Oct. 31, 2016 -- Cara Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:CARA), a biotechnology company focused on developing and commercializing new chemical entities designed to alleviate pain and pruritus by selectively targeting peripheral kappa opioid receptors, today announced the presentation of two posters at Kidney Week 2016, the American Society of Nephrology's Annual Meeting, which will be held November 15-20, 2016 at McCormick Place in Chicago.

Robert Spencer, Ph.D., Senior Director, Research & Development at Cara, will present the following poster:

Title: “Antipruritic Effect of the Long-Acting Peripheral Kappa Opioid Receptor Agonist CR845: A Novel Approach for the Treatment of Uremic Pruritus in Hemodialysis Patients”

Abstract Number: 3421

Location: Exhibit Hall, McCormick Place, Chicago

Date: Thursday, November 17, 2016

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. CT

Additionally, Vandana S. Mathur, M.D., F.A.S.N., President at Mathur Consulting, will present a poster titled “Improvement of Quality of Life in Hemodialysis Patients with Uremic Pruritus as Measured by the Skindex-10 Questionnaire: Effect of a Novel Kappa Opioid Receptor Agonist, CR845” (abstract number 4032) in the Exhibit Hall on November 17 from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. CT.

Both posters will be on display November 17 from 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. CT.

For more information on Kidney Week 2016, visit: https://www.asn-online.org/education/kidneyweek/.

About CR845

CR845 is a peripherally acting kappa opioid receptor agonist currently in development for the treatment of acute and chronic pain and pruritus. In multiple randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 trials in patients undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy or bunionectomy procedures, I.V. CR845 treatment resulted in statistically significant reductions in both pain intensity and opioid-related side effects. In a human abuse liability trial, I.V. CR845 demonstrated statistically significant reductions in “drug liking,” “feeling high,” “overall liking,” and “take drug again” scores in comparison to I.V. pentazocine, a Schedule IV analgesic.

An oral formulation of CR845 is currently being evaluated in a Phase 2b study in osteoarthritis patients and was shown in a Phase 2a study to be well tolerated with twice a day dosing for two weeks, with evidence of decreasing pain scores during that time period. 

In approximately 1,150 subjects dosed to date, CR845 was found to be well tolerated, without incurring the dysphoric and psychotomimetic side effects that have been reported with centrally acting (CNS-active) kappa opioid receptor agonists.

About Cara Therapeutics

Cara Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing and commercializing new chemical entities designed to alleviate pain and pruritus by selectively targeting peripheral kappa opioid receptors. Cara is developing a novel and proprietary class of product candidates that target the body's peripheral nervous system and have demonstrated initial efficacy in patients with moderate-to-severe pain without inducing many of the undesirable side effects typically associated with currently available pain therapeutics.

INVESTOR CONTACT:
Steve Silver
Stern Investor Relations
212-362-1200
[email protected]

MEDIA CONTACT: 
Annie Starr
6 Degrees
973-415-8838 
[email protected]