First, there’s Persica Pharmaceuticals, an emerging biotech company based on Kent’s St. They are re-engineering a successful investigational drug PP353 into an even more promising therapeutic for chronic low back pain. The drug consists of a unique combination of three substances: linezolid, an antibiotic; iohexol, a contrast agent or dye; and a thermosensitive gel. PP353 directly targets the cause of chronic low back pain, rather than just treating pain symptoms like traditional non-opioid therapeutics.
PP353 has produced impressive outcomes in clinical trials, resulting in less pain and disability for patients. In a trial involving 44 patients across Britain, Spain, Denmark, and New Zealand, six out of ten participants reported substantial improvements. The drug’s special delivery format takes advantage of using two different injections. Administered four days apart, these injections offer an option to invasive surgery or the use of long-term medications.
The potential impact of PP353 is considerable. Market research indicates that about 2 million Americans would be appropriate for treatment with this drug. In the UK that number is as high as a potential audience of 250,000 to 300,000 people. This drug will significantly help the one in four of these 40 million Americans who have lower back pain due to infection. It presents them an optimism for a simpler and better remedy.
“Our first patient trial produced really positive results. [It produced] significant reductions in pain and disability and [patients also got] clinically meaningful benefit and statistically significant benefit.” – Steve Ruston
With the support of six NHS hospitals across England and Wales, Persica Pharmaceuticals has extensively tested PP353’s efficacy. The drug’s developers believe if approved, it could revolutionize chronic lower back pain treatment similarly to how antibiotics transformed infection management.
“a gamechanger for chronic lower back pain on the similar levels as [how] antibiotics made a difference to infection. Because if we can get these 25% of the patients with chronic low back pain back to work, back to no medications, back to no more disability, then I think [that] will be the massive gamechanger for the future.” – Dr Shiva Tripathi
PP353’s approach is different from current treatments, not just in efficacy but by addressing the underlying cause instead of just masking symptoms. That distinction would have a profound impact on patients’ quality of life. It enables them to get back to work and be less dependent on drugs.
“Millions of people around the world can benefit from this. But low back pain is not just a first-world problem; everybody gets low back pain.” – Steve Ruston
The drug’s potential is huge, giving hope to millions of people around the world who suffer from chronic back pain. With its potential approval, PP353 could become a transformative solution for patients struggling with chronic low back pain due to infection.