Shanton Pharma, a clinical-stage biotech company, has successfully completed patient enrollment for its Phase 2b study evaluating SAP-001 in patients with refractory and tophaceous gout. The milestone achievement sets the stage for topline data readout in the first quarter of 2025.
The six-month clinical trial has enrolled 87 participants across 21 sites in the United States. This multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging study specifically targets patients who do not respond adequately to maximum tolerable doses of conventional Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitors (XOIs) such as allopurinol or febuxostat.
"Reaching full enrollment is an important milestone in our 6-month gout study," said Dr. Bing Li, CEO of Shanton Pharma. "This sets the clock for topline data readout in Q1 2025. The study aims to show similar good efficacy and safety results that we saw in our Phase 1 and 2a studies in regular gout patients, but now in the more challenging target population of truly refractory patients that often have a more severe form of gout with limited treatment options."
Understanding the Unmet Need in Gout Treatment
Gout, the most common form of inflammatory arthritis, affects over 10 million adults in the United States alone. The condition results from elevated levels of uric acid in the bloodstream (hyperuricemia), which can lead to the formation of urate crystals in joints and tissues. These crystal deposits trigger painful gout flares and, over time, can cause joint damage and disfigurement.
Despite available urate-lowering therapies (ULTs), treatment challenges remain significant. Approximately 29% of diagnosed gout patients in the US receive ULTs, but only half of those patients respond sufficiently or can tolerate current treatment options. Studies estimate that up to 20% of patients on standard treatments like allopurinol or febuxostat are physiologically refractory, and about one-third of gout patients develop tophi—hardened deposits of uric acid crystals.
SAP-001: A Potential Breakthrough for Refractory Gout
The Phase 2b study is evaluating three dosage levels of SAP-001—10 mg, 30 mg, and 60 mg tablet doses—against placebo. The primary objective is to assess the drug's effectiveness in lowering serum urate levels in patients who have not responded to standard XOI therapy.
Secondary endpoints include safety and tolerability assessments, frequency of gout flares, and changes in tophi number, size, and mass. These comprehensive measurements will help determine the drug's overall clinical benefit for patients with limited treatment alternatives.
SAP-001 is Shanton's lead investigational compound, designed for once-daily oral administration to lower urate levels. The drug's unique mechanism of action has shown exceptional efficacy and safety profiles in earlier Phase 1 and Phase 2a studies conducted in regular gout patients.
Company Background and Strategic Focus
Founded in 2016, Shanton Pharma focuses on addressing unmet medical needs related to hyperuricemia and gout. The company maintains headquarters in Princeton, New Jersey, with research operations spanning the United States, China, and Singapore.
The company is led by experienced pharmaceutical entrepreneurs who have positioned SAP-001 as a potential best-in-class treatment for both refractory and tophaceous gout—conditions that represent significant treatment challenges in rheumatology.
Implications for Gout Management
The completion of enrollment in this Phase 2b study represents a significant step forward in developing new treatment options for patients with severe gout who have exhausted conventional therapies. If successful, SAP-001 could fill a critical gap in the treatment landscape.
The challenge of enrolling only patients who do not respond to maximum tolerable doses of conventional XOIs has been successfully overcome, according to Dr. Li. This carefully selected patient population will provide valuable insights into SAP-001's efficacy in the most difficult-to-treat gout cases.
As the six-month study progresses, the medical community awaits the topline data expected in early 2025, which could potentially signal a meaningful advancement in the management of this debilitating condition.
