Dogwood Therapeutics nears Phase 2b readout for Halneuron pain treatment

Dogwood Therapeutics is nearing the completion of its Phase 2b clinical study for Halneuron, an investigational subcutaneous injection designed to treat chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain (CINP). The company has enrolled 232 patients, meeting its target enrollment range of 210 to 240, and expects to report top-line data later this fall.

Halneuron utilizes a formulation of tetrodotoxin (TTX) to inhibit the NaV1.7 voltage-gated sodium channel, which is involved in peripheral pain signaling. The treatment aims to address a significant unmet need for cancer survivors, as severe CINP can lead oncologists to reduce or discontinue chemotherapy doses. An interim analysis of the first 97 participants showed a treatment pattern trending toward separation from the placebo.

In addition to Halneuron, Dogwood is developing SP16, an LRP1 agonist intended as an adjunctive therapy to prevent neuropathy during chemotherapy. The SP16 program is funded by the National Cancer Institute and is expected to begin dosing patients in the second half of this year.