Bladder pain syndrome AKA interstitial cystitis - a condition with severe unmet medical need: an exploration of brimapitide as a potential treatment opportunity

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this article is to present recent findings of KU002 (brimapitide) as a novel treatment option for interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS). RECENT FINDINGS: IC/BPS is a complex and poorly understood heterogeneous syndrome, with many burdensome symptoms that severely affect patients' quality of life. Treatment options beyond conservative and nonpharmacologic approaches remain limited, and there is an unmet medical need for effective medical treatments. While there are multiple ongoing clinical trials in this area, only a few explore new treatment options. This article summarizes current ongoing development and reports the findings of one such trial. SUMMARY: In a phase 1/2a exploratory trial, intravesical instillation of brimapitide confirmed local action while eliciting in minimal systemic exposure, resulting in a promising and favorable safety profile. Efficacy exploration suggests that brimapitide reduces pain, improves signs and symptoms of IC/BPS and improves the general wellbeing of the study participants.