Asimadoline has been administered to over 1900 human subjects or patients in clinical trials and exhibits an acceptable safety profile. Due to its high selectivity for the kappa-opioid receptor, asimadoline does not produce mu-opioid like side-effects. Results from preclinical models indicate asimadoline significantly reduces the frequency of scratching induced by pruritic agents. This double-blind placebo-controlled clinical study is designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability and clinical efficacy of asimadoline in patients with pruritus associated with atopic dermatitis.
Kappa-opioid receptors mediate the sensation of itch in animals and humans. Asimadoline is an orally active, selective kappa-opioid receptor agonist and has demonstrated efficacy in several preclinical pruritus models. The purpose of this Phase 2 study is to evaluate the safety, tolerability and clinical efficacy of asimadoline in patients with pruritus associated with atopic dermatitis.