Biopharmaceutical company developing therapies for pruritus and pain management.
Cara Therapeutics, Inc. operates as an early-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to advancing and commercializing chemical entities that selectively target kappa opioid receptors, with a primary focus on alleviating pruritus and pain in the United States. Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, the company's innovative approach involves developing product candidates that target both the peripheral nervous system and immune cells.
Central to Cara Therapeutics' portfolio is KORSUVA (difelikefalin) injection, its lead product designed for treating moderate-to-severe pruritus associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in adults undergoing hemodialysis. The company also explores Oral KORSUVA (difelikefalin), which has completed Phase II clinical trials targeting pruritus in atopic dermatitis and non-dialysis-dependent CKD, as well as chronic liver disease and primary biliary cholangitis. Furthermore, Cara Therapeutics is actively investigating difelikefalin's efficacy in treating notalgia paresthetica.
In its global strategy, Cara Therapeutics has forged strategic alliances to expand the reach of difelikefalin. Collaborations include licensing agreements with Maruishi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., enabling development and commercialization of difelikefalin-based products for acute pain and uremic pruritus in Japan, and with Chong Kun Dang Pharmaceutical Corporation for South Korea. These partnerships underscore the company's commitment to addressing significant medical needs on a global scale through its specialized therapeutic innovations.
Since its inception, Cara Therapeutics has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to pioneering treatments that target specific receptors to alleviate debilitating symptoms and improve patient outcomes. With ongoing research and development efforts focused on expanding its therapeutic pipeline, the company remains dedicated to advancing the field of biopharmaceuticals while continuing to enhance its presence in the healthcare industry.