Chili painkiller to keep knee ache at bay

A new data shows that a synthetic version of a medicine usually extracted from the spicy chili can relieve knee pain among osteoarthiritis patients for up to six months. This brings Centrexion Therapeutics a step closer to developing a safe and effective painkiller.

The drug is being developed by the privately-held company run by former Pfizer Inc chief executive Jeffrey Kindler. It is a man-made version of chili plant extract trans-capsaicin and is designed to work by inactivating local pain fibers transmitting signals to the brain. The mid-stage trial tested two doses of the drug on patients who were unable to tolerate pain therapy.

Data showed that the drug induced statistically significant pain relief as well as reduced knee stiffness and improved physical function at 24 weeks after a single injection.

Osteoarthritis is caused by the progressive breakdown and eventual loss of cartilage, and characterized by pain, swelling and decreased mobility of the affected joint.

Patients on the 1mg dose saw a significant reduction in daily pain.