Contineum Therapeutics Begins Phase 1b Dosing for PIPE-791 Chronic Pain Trial

Contineum Therapeutics, Inc., a company at the forefront of developing unique therapies for neuroscience, inflammation, and immunology-related issues, has taken a significant step forward by initiating patient dosing in its exploratory PIPE-791 Phase 1b trial. This trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study aimed at assessing the potential of PIPE-791 in managing chronic pain. PIPE-791 is an innovative small molecule that antagonizes the lysophosphatidic acid 1 receptor (LPA1R) and has been designed to penetrate the brain effectively.

The primary focus of this trial is to explore the capability of PIPE-791 in treating chronic pain linked to osteoarthritis (OA) and low back pain (LBP). The study plans to enroll around 40 patients across up to five sites in the United States, with each participant undergoing treatment for a duration of 28 days. Contineum anticipates that the topline data from this Phase 1b trial will be available in early 2026.

Stephen Huhn, the Chief Medical Officer of Contineum Therapeutics, expressed his optimism about PIPE-791's unique mechanism of action. He highlighted the drug's potential to alter maladaptive changes that cause chronic pain, which could lead to a breakthrough in providing a differentiated, non-opioid treatment option for individuals suffering from OA and LBP.

Chronic pain often involves neuropathic symptoms that occur due to abnormal signaling within the central nervous system (CNS), resulting in increased sensitivity to pain. LPA1 activation plays a key role in this process by contributing to persistent hypersensitivity, a hallmark of neuropathic pain. This is achieved through promoting nerve fiber demyelination, increasing neuronal excitability, and enhancing neuroinflammatory responses within the CNS. By specifically targeting and blocking LPA1 receptor activity, PIPE-791 has the potential to modify these maladaptive CNS changes, thereby potentially reducing pain.

Contineum Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing novel oral small molecule therapies to address significant unmet needs in neuroscience, inflammation, and immunology. The company's pipeline includes internally-developed programs, with several drug candidates currently undergoing clinical trials. Among these, PIPE-791 is being developed not only for chronic pain but also for conditions such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and progressive multiple sclerosis. Additionally, another pipeline candidate, PIPE-307, is a selective inhibitor of the M1 receptor, currently in clinical trials for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and depression.

The launch of this trial reflects Contineum's commitment to advancing therapeutic options that can meaningfully impact patients' lives. By exploring the potential of PIPE-791 as a treatment for chronic pain conditions like OA and LBP, Contineum aims to expand the possibilities for non-opioid pain relief. The company's strategic approach underscores its dedication to addressing critical health challenges through innovative medical solutions.

As Contineum moves forward with its clinical trials, the healthcare community and patients alike are eagerly awaiting the potential outcomes and insights that PIPE-791 may offer. The company's ongoing efforts to develop groundbreaking therapies demonstrate its resolve to transform the landscape of treatment options available for various complex medical conditions.