Phase 2 Outcomes of novel agent Shows Promise Against Tophaceous Gout

The novel URAT1 inhibitor, AR882 exhibited robust and sustained serum urate (sUA) reduction in t Phase 2b trial in treating gout and tophaceous gout. The trial published in American College of Rheumatology evaluated AR882 against the conventional treatment allopurinol in reducing clinically visible tophi in gout patients.

This study involved 42 gout patients with subcutaneous tophi who were randomly assigned to three groups receiving AR882 75 mg, AR882 50 mg + allopurinol, or allopurinol up to 300 mg. Over a period of six months, caliper measurements and Dual Energy Computer Tomography (DECT) were utilized to monitor tophi reduction. The primary endpoint was the change in sUA levels at month 3, with secondary endpoints including resolution of the target tophus area and changes in tophus crystal volume at month 6.

Results demonstrated a remarkable reduction in mean sUA levels across all groups, with the 75 mg AR882 group outperforming others, achieving sUA levels < 6 and < 5 mg/dL in 86% and 64% of patients, respectively.

The AR882 groups exhibited fewer gout flares compared to the allopurinol group. At month 6, AR882 showed complete resolution of at least one tophus in 29% of patients in the 75 mg group, highlighting its efficacy in tophus reduction.