Grünenthal is an integrated pharmaceutical company with a strong track record of bringing effective pain-relief treatments and state-of-the-art approaches to patients around the world. We are a global leader in pain and have the capabilities and knowledge to bring life-changing products through all phases of development and to the market. We focus our research and development on four pain indications characterised by high unmet need: peripheral neuropathic pain; chronic post-surgical neuropathic pain; chronic low back pain; and pain associated with osteoarthritis (OA). Pain associated with knee OA is one of the most common causes of physical disability worldwide1 and is a core strategic therapy area for Grünenthal.
Pain in knee osteoarthritis
Knee OA is a progressive, degenerative disease of the entire joint and surrounding tissue and can occur in one or both knees. It is the most common form of OA and cases are rising due to several risk factors, including an ageing and increasingly obese global population1,2. Knee OA currently affects more than 360 million people worldwide and is responsible for an estimated 11.5 million disability-adjusted life years (DALY) each year1.
Figure 1: Illustration of neurones carrying pain signals in a knee with osteoarthritis.Credit: Grünenthal GmbH
Pain is the predominant symptom of OA and is initially triggered by specific activities, becoming more constant over time, often punctuated with intense episodes of unpredictable pain2,3. The mechanisms of pain are generally complicated and multifactorial; the experience of pain in OA is thought to be influenced by a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors. However, evidence suggests that ongoing pain in OA is generated and maintained through peripheral input from the affected joint3 (Fig. 1), which offers the potential to target the joint directly rather than using centrally acting drugs such as opioids3.
An unmet medical need
At present, there are no effective methods to prevent OA or slow the progression of joint damage. Management options to address pain are often inadequate, failing to provide sufficient or sustained relief3. Studies have found that more than 50% of people with knee OA taking pain medication report that their pain is not adequately controlled4 and up to 25% of patients who receive total joint replacement continue to complain of pain and disability one year after successful surgery2.
Moreover, despite the fact that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are commonly used to treat the pain associated with OA, their efficacy declines over time and their use has been associated with adverse gastrointestinal and cardiac effects, which makes them an unsuitable choice for many patients3. As a result of these limitations, there is an urgent need to develop new therapies and management approaches for OA. The development of innovative, non-opioid pain therapies may offer a more promising future for patients who suffer with pain associated with OA.
A vision for a ‘World Free of Pain’
OA affects millions of people around the world who require effective treatments and pain relief, as well as care that addresses the multi-faceted impact of the disease. Grünenthal is committed to finding new and innovative approaches to help these individuals aspire to a ‘World Free of Pain’.