Description

Cara Therapeutics, Inc. is an emerging biopharmaceutical company with an initial commercial presence, dedicated to the development and commercialization of novel pharmaceutical compounds. Its core mission revolves around addressing pruritus (itching) and pain, primarily by selectively modulating kappa opioid receptors, with a particular focus on the United States. The company's therapeutic pipeline features agents designed to interact with the body's peripheral nervous system and immune cells. Its flagship therapy, KORSUVA (difelikefalin) injection, is approved for managing moderate-to-severe pruritus in adult hemodialysis patients suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD). Beyond this, Cara Therapeutics is advancing Oral KORSUVA (difelikefalin), which has successfully completed Phase II clinical trials for pruritus associated with atopic dermatitis and non-dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease (NDD-CKD). This oral formulation is also currently undergoing Phase II trials for pruritus linked to chronic liver disease (CLD), specifically primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), and for notalgia paresthetica. Globally, the company has established strategic license agreements: with Maruishi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. for the development, manufacturing, and commercialization of difelikefalin-containing drug products for acute pain and uremic pruritus in Japan; and with Chong Kun Dang Pharmaceutical Corporation for similar activities regarding difelikefalin products in South Korea. Cara Therapeutics, Inc. was established in 2004 and is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut.