Vascarta Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative treatments for pain and inflammation, announced the successful completion of its Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating VAS-101 (Vasceptor®), a proprietary curcumin gel for knee osteoarthritis (OA). The trial was conducted at Clinical Research Australia, Perth, under Principal Investigator Dr. Adrian Lopresti, with data publication expected in the coming months.
The 60-patient, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial assessed VAS-101 applied topically every other day for 28 days. The primary objective was to evaluate its impact on pain in adults with chronic knee OA. Secondary endpoints included safety, tolerability, quality of life, daily function, and analgesic use.
Dr. Lopresti commented:
"Oral curcumin is limited by poor absorption, reducing its therapeutic potential. In this study, VAS-101 applied topically showed promising pain-relieving effects, suggesting that Vascarta’s Vasporta™ transdermal technology can enhance local and systemic delivery for rapid, targeted relief."
About VAS-101
VAS-101 is a patented, highly concentrated curcumin gel formulated using Vascarta's Vasporta™ transdermal delivery platform. The technology is designed to overcome the bioavailability challenges of oral curcumin, enabling effective local and systemic delivery at lower doses. Curcumin’s anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties make it an attractive option for chronic pain management.
Unmet Need in Knee Osteoarthritis
Knee OA affects millions globally. According to the CDC, 21% of U.S. adults were diagnosed with arthritis between 2019–2021, with the knee being the most impacted joint. Existing treatments range from oral medications to invasive interventions such as corticosteroid injections or knee replacement surgery. Non-invasive, effective, and well-tolerated therapies remain an unmet need, particularly for patients who cannot tolerate long-term NSAID use.
Leadership Perspective
"Osteoarthritis is one of the most prevalent and disabling chronic conditions," said Dr. Richard Prince, Vascarta Chairman, CEO & President.
"The completion of this Phase 1 trial is an important milestone for VAS-101 and supports our vision to provide a safer, effective, and non-invasive alternative for millions of patients worldwide."
About Vascarta
Vascarta is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on topical and transdermal therapeutics for inflammatory conditions, with lead programs in osteoarthritis and sickle cell disease.
