The FDA has granted Fast Track designation to MM-II, a non-opioid product utilizing a proprietary liposomal suspension, for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) knee pain. This designation, announced by Sun Pharma and Moebius Medical Limited, aims to expedite the development and review process for this potential therapy.
Characterized by the progressive degradation of joint cartilage, osteoarthritis affects over 30 million Americans and 100 million individuals globally. Current treatments primarily focus on pain reduction and improved joint function due to the limited self-healing capacity of joint cartilage.
Phase 2b Clinical Trial Results
Data supporting the efficacy of MM-II were presented at the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) 2024. The randomized, controlled, phase 2b clinical trial (NCT04506463) demonstrated that a single intra-articular injection of 3 mL of MM-II provided superior pain relief compared to placebo for up to 26 weeks. Patients treated with MM-II experienced a greater than 50% improvement in knee pain from weeks 12 to 26.
"As we enter phase 3 development, we are very encouraged by the FDA’s decision to grant fast track designation to MM-II and recognize its potential to fill an unmet medical need for patients suffering from [OA] osteoarthritis," said Marek Honczarenko, MD, PhD, Senior Vice President and Head of Global Development at Sun Pharma.
Implications of Fast Track Designation
The Fast Track designation is expected to facilitate the development and regulatory review of MM-II, potentially leading to an accelerated approval process. This is particularly significant given the limitations of existing therapies and the urgent need for more effective treatment options for patients with painful osteoarthritis.
"This fast Track designation, which will enable FDA to review MM-II in an expedited manner, is an important milestone in the development of MM-II, and follows our recently released phase 2b data, which showed MMII’s potential to provide effective and durable treatment for patients with knee pain of [OA] osteoarthritis," noted Moshe Weinstein, CEO of Moebius Medical.
Trial Details
The Phase 2b trial, titled "Efficacy and Safety of MM-II for Treatment of Knee Pain in Subjects With Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis" (NCT04506463), was sponsored by Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, with a completion date of August 10, 2022. The study evaluated the safety and efficacy of MM-II in patients experiencing knee pain due to symptomatic knee osteoarthritis.
According to Philip G Conaghan, MB, PhD, FRACP, FRCP, professor of musculoskeletal medicine at the University of Leeds, "Given the limitations of many current therapies, there is an urgent need for more therapeutic treatment options for patients with painful osteoarthritis. Data from the 3mL dose of MM-II in this trial demonstrate MM-II's potential to offer durable and meaningful pain relief with good tolerability."
