Summary
- Merck TRPV1 Antagonists MK-2295: Results of clinical studies and reasons why it will not make it to market
- MK-2295 was administered to normal individuals for 14 days. The investigator tested for heat sensitivity by applying a heat probe to the skin or the subjects having taken MK-2295 or placebo. They also immersed their hands in hot water (48 degree C) or asked them to drink hot water. The results were impressive with the subjects taking MK-2295 displaying a raised threshold to heat. The problem is that often they did do not find unpleasant temperatures around 48 degree C.
Analysis
- Because of the risk of accidental heat injuries, Merck will not further trial this compound for osteoarthritis (OA) or other clinical applications for which it would be administered systemically.
- Of note the increase in core temperature described with TRPV1 agonists did occur but lasted only 2 days, therefore this is not as much a problem.
- Most likely, all the other pharma developing TRPV1 antagonists observed the same effects, and will not further push these compounds to clinical trial.
- Merck still might develop MK-2295 for topical applications.
Luc Jasmin, MD, PhD consults with leading institutions through GLG
Analyses are solely the work of the authors and have not been edited or endorsed by GLG.
