Cara Therapeutics Announces Successful Completion of Phase I Clinical Trial of Novel Analgesic, CR845, Shelton, CT, August 5th, 2008

Cara Therapeutics Secures $12.3 Million In Series C Extension Financing, July 24th 2008

Cara Therapeutics Announces Issuance of U.S. Patent Covering Second Generation Kappa Opioid Receptor Agonists, July 22nd 2008

Cara Therapeutics Initiates Phase 1 Clinical Trial of Novel Analgesic, CR845 , Shelton, CT, April 28th, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall

Cara Therapeutics Secures $19 Million In Series C Financing Tarrytown, NY (PRNewswire-FirstCall), November 28th, 2006

Tripos and Cara Therapeutics Announce Medicinal Chemistry Partnership; Alliance to Address Unmet Medical Needs in the Treatment of Pain and Inflammation, March 22nd, 2006

Cara Therapeutics Announces Results of Phase 1 Clinical Trial of Novel Analgesic; CR665 Safe and Pharmacologically Active, July 28th, 2005

Cara Therapeutics Initiates Clinical Trial of Novel Pain Drug Candidate, March 24th 2005

Cara Therapeutics Announces Successful Completion of Phase I Clinical Trial of Novel Analgesic, CR845
Shelton, CT, August 5th, 2008 /PRNewswire

Cara Therapeutics, Inc. today announced completion of a Phase I clinical trial for its second-generation, peripherally acting kappa opioid agonist, CR845, under development for the treatment of acute and chronic pain. The drug candidate was safe and well-tolerated after intravenous infusion, and resulted in plasma levels of CR845 expected to be associated with clinical analgesic activity. In addition, CR845 infusion triggered a quantitative endocrine biomarker of peripheral kappa opioid receptor activation at the lowest dose tested.

The Phase Ia single-center clinical trial evaluated the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetic profile, and pharmacological activity of CR845 in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, single escalating intravenous dose study in 54 healthy male and female volunteers. CR845 was shown to be safe at all doses investigated, with no reports of serious side effects or adverse central nervous system activity. Linear, dose-proportional increases in systemic exposure to CR845 were observed. Low doses of CR845 resulted in plasma levels at or above the plasma levels of drug expected to be associated with clinical analgesic efficacy.

The Company plans to advance its intravenous formulation of CR845 into Phase II trials later in 2008. Based on the demonstrated safety, tolerability, and bioactivity of this formulation in Phase I, Cara will continue to develop its oral formulation of CR845 for advancement into Phase I.

About CR845
CR845 was designed to be highly selective for the peripheral kappa opioid receptor, with a prolonged duration of action relative to Cara’s first generation of peripheral kappa opioids. Animal studies indicate that CR845 is effective in reducing pain of inflammatory, neuropathic and visceral origin. The analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of CR845 lasted for up to 18 hours after a single dose. CR845 was active after intravenous, subcutaneous, or oral administration. Preclinical studies also indicate that CR845 possesses anti-itch properties.  Unlike currently marketed opioids, CR845 did not inhibit intestinal transit (ileus), impair breathing, or elicit signs of addiction in animal models. CR845 and related compounds are covered by a recently issued U.S. patent.

About Cara Therapeutics
Cara Therapeutics is a privately held biotechnology company focused on developing novel, superior therapeutics to treat pain and inflammation associated with diverse medical conditions. Cara’s current pipeline includes near-term clinical drug candidates within multiple classes of peripherally-acting analgesics. Cara also plans to develop entirely novel classes of analgesics that emerge from its proprietary GPCR DimerScreenTM technology.

Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements include statements relating to the therapeutic applications of CR845 and about Cara’s strategy, technologies, pre-clinical and clinical programs, and ability to identify and develop drugs, as well as other statements that are not historical facts. Actual events or results may differ materially from Cara's expectations. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the timing, success and cost of Cara's research and clinical studies and Cara's ability to obtain additional financing. These forward-looking statements represent Cara's judgment as of the date of this release. Cara disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

For more information, please contact: Derek Chalmers, President & CEO of Cara Therapeutics, +1-203-567-1500

Source: Cara Therapeutics, Inc.

Cara Therapeutics Announces Issuance of U.S. Patent Covering Second Generation Kappa Opioid Receptor Agonists
Shelton, CT, July 22nd, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall

Cara Therapeutics, Inc. announced today that The United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued U.S. Patent No. 7,402,564 entitled “Synthetic Peptide Amides” under its Accelerated Examination Program.  The application was filed on November 12, 2007 and covers Cara’s second generation, peripherally-selective kappa opioid receptor agonist compounds.  These compounds include CR845, currently completing a Phase I clinical trial and in development for injectable and oral delivery for the treatment of acute and chronic pain of visceral, inflammatory and neuropathic origin, and for the treatment of pruritis (itch), a common disorder associated with several diseases and conditions.

About CR845

In preclinical studies, CR845 was highly selective for the peripheral kappa opioid receptor. Animal studies indicate that CR845 is effective in treating pain of inflammatory, neuropathic and visceral origin and exhibits analgesic efficacy for up to 18 hours after a single dose. Analgesic activity was seen after intravenous, subcutaneous, or oral administration.  Unlike currently marketed opioids, CR845 did not inhibit intestinal transit (ileus), impair breathing or elicit signs of addiction in animal models. Preclinical studies also indicate that CR845 possesses anti-itch activity. CR845 is currently completing Phase Ia studies.

About Cara Therapeutics

Cara Therapeutics is a privately held biotechnology company focused on developing novel, superior therapeutics to treat pain and inflammation associated with diverse medical conditions. Cara’s current pipeline includes near-term clinical drug candidates within multiple classes of peripherally-acting analgesics. Cara also plans to develop entirely novel classes of analgesics that emerge from its proprietary GPCR DimerScreenTM technology.
Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements include statements relating to the therapeutic applications of Cara compounds and about Cara’s strategy, technologies, pre-clinical and clinical programs, and ability to identify and develop drugs, as well as other statements that are not historical facts. Actual events or results may differ materially from Cara's expectations. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the timing, success and cost of Cara's research and clinical studies and Cara's ability to obtain additional financing. These forward-looking statements represent Cara's judgment as of the date of this release. Cara disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

Source: Cara Therapeutics, Inc.

Cara Therapeutics Initiates Phase 1 Clinical Trial of Novel Analgesic, CR845
Shelton, CT, April 28th, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall

Cara Therapeutics, Inc. today announced that it has initiated a Phase 1 clinical trial of its long-acting peripheral kappa opioid receptor agonist, CR845. The Phase 1a single-center clinical trial will evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetic profile, and pharmacological activity of CR845 in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, single escalating intravenous dose study in 58 healthy male and female volunteers.

The company is also developing oral and subcutaneous formulations of CR845.

About CR845

In preclinical studies, CR845 was highly selective for the peripheral kappa opioid receptor. Animal studies indicate that CR845 is effective in treating pain of inflammatory, neuropathic and visceral origin and exhibits analgesic efficacy for up to 18 hours after a single dose. Analgesic activity was seen after intravenous, subcutaneous, or oral administration. Unlike currently marketed opioids, CR845 did not inhibit intestinal transit (ileus) or elicit signs of addiction in animal models. Preclinical studies also indicate that CR845 possesses anti-itch activity.

About Cara Therapeutics

Cara Therapeutics is a privately held biotechnology company focused on developing novel, superior therapeutics to treat pain and inflammation associated with diverse medical conditions. Cara’s current pipeline includes near-term clinical drug candidates identified as mechanistically distinct, peripherally-acting analgesics.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements include statements relating to the therapeutic applications of CR845 and about Cara’s strategy, technologies, pre-clinical and clinical programs, and ability to identify and develop drugs, as well as other statements that are not historical facts. Actual events or results may differ materially from Cara's expectations. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the timing, success and cost of Cara's research and clinical studies and Cara's ability to obtain additional financing. These forward-looking statements represent Cara's judgment as of the date of this release. Cara disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

For more information, please contact: Derek Chalmers CEO of Cara Therapeutics, Inc.,
+1-203-567-1501

Source: Cara Therapeutics, Inc.

Cara Therapeutics Secures $19 Million In Series C Financing
Tarrytown, NY (PRNewswire-FirstCall), November 28th, 2006

Cara Therapeutics, Inc. announced today that it had closed on $19 million of its Series C financing. New investors participating in the round include MVM Life Science Partners and Alta Biopharma Partners, as well as previous investors Ascent Biomedical Ventures. In conjunction with the financing, Dr. Stephen Reeders, Managing Partner of MVM Life Science Partners, and Ed Hurwitz, Director of Alta Partners, will join Cara’s Board of Directors.

“I am very pleased with the outstanding group of international investors we have attracted to participate in Cara’s Series C financing and look forward to working with them to advance our internal drug development pipeline”, said Dr. Derek Chalmers, President & CEO of Cara Therapeutics. “Combined with cash already on-hand, this financing provides Cara with operating capital through 2008 and provides the runway necessary to advance our next two drug candidates into the clinic”, he added.

Dr. Stephen Reeders commented “Over the last twenty years there has been little innovation in treating pain.  There is a big gap in the choices available to clinicians between moderately efficacious OTC analgesics and centrally acting opiates with serious side effects. We believe that Cara Therapeutics is developing novel drugs to fill this gap.”

“We are extremely excited about Cara’s focus in pain and inflammation where major advances have been lacking for several decades,” commented Ed Hurwitz of Alta Partners.  “The company’s truly differentiated kappa agonist, which is being tested in proof of concept studies, has the chance to substantially change the treatment options for acute and chronic pain sufferers.  We found this opportunity along with the company’s rapidly advancing programs on exciting novel pain and inflammation targets to be a compelling investment opportunity,” added Hurwitz.

On January 5th of this year, Cara announced that it had entered into a worldwide licensing agreement with ALZA Corporation, a Johnson & Johnson company, for Cara’s novel peripherally-acting pain drug candidate, CR665. Under the terms of that agreement, Cara received an upfront payment and is eligible to receive pre-determined clinical and regulatory milestone payments. Cara is also eligible to receive royalties on sales of all marketed products incorporating the compound, as well as an option to co-promote intravenous products in the U.S. 

About CR665
CR665 is the lead clinical development candidate from a series of highly selective peripheral kappa opioid receptor agonists. In preclinical studies, CR665 was highly selective for the peripheral kappa opioid receptor. Preclinical animal studies suggest that CR665 is a potent analgesic compound. In addition, unlike currently marketed opioids, CR665 does not produce inhibition of intestinal transit (ileus), induce respiratory depression, or elicit signs of euphoria or addiction in animal models. Preclinical studies also indicate that CR665 possesses anti-inflammatory activities.
A completed Phase 1a study of intravenous CR665 in healthy men and women indicated that the drug candidate was safe, well tolerated, and exhibited predictable pharmacokinetic characteristics. In addition, this study demonstrated plasma levels of CR665 associated with analgesic effects in preclinical studies, as well as biomarker evidence of peripheral kappa opioid receptor activation in both men and women.

Tripos and Cara Therapeutics Announce Medicinal Chemistry Partnership; Alliance to Address Unmet Medical Needs in the Treatment of Pain and Inflammation
ST. LOUIS & BUDE, England (BUSINESS WIRE), March 22nd, 2006

Tripos, Inc. (Nasdaq:TRPS), a leading provider of drug discovery chemistry and informatics products and services, today announced that Tripos Discovery Research Ltd. (TDR), based in Bude, England, has formed a new research collaboration with Cara Therapeutics, an emerging U.S. biotechnology company based in Tarrytown, N.Y. Cara is focused on developing novel therapeutics to treat medical conditions associated with pain and inflammation. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

A dedicated team of computational and medicinal chemists at TDR will work in partnership with Cara's project team to support its drug discovery programs. By combining Tripos' proprietary informatics tools with its expertise in medicinal chemistry, TDR's chemists will focus on the development of novel molecules for Cara's specific needs. Based on Tripos' contribution, these molecules have the potential to progress into full clinical development more quickly than current industry norms.

"I am confident in Tripos' capabilities to accelerate discovery programs," said Dr. Derek Chalmers, CEO and president of Cara Therapeutics. "Tripos' domain expertise in this therapeutic area complements our own, and we look forward to a fruitful partnership."

"We are delighted that Cara has selected Tripos Discovery Research to support its efforts to discover new medicines in the area of neuropathic pain," said Dr. Mark Allen, senior vice president and managing director of TDR. "The therapeutic options currently available to treat these debilitating conditions are very limited. This relationship, which leverages a component of our G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) LeadDiscovery(TM) library, underscores the high value attributed to our expertise and therapeutic medicinal chemistry capabilities."

General

This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning, among other things: (1) expectations regarding future revenues and earnings, resource allocation and capacity; (2) expectations regarding existing and future opportunities for drug discovery collaborations; and (3) expectations regarding the success of Tripos' LeadDiscovery program. These statements are based upon numerous assumptions which Tripos cannot control and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ. These statements should be understood in light of the risk factors set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitations those factors set forth in the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 2004, and from time to time in the Company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as otherwise required under federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the SEC, we do not have any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions or otherwise.

About Tripos, Inc.

Tripos (Nasdaq:TRPS) combines leading-edge technology and innovative science to deliver consistently superior chemistry-research products and services for the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and other life science industries. Within Tripos' Discovery Informatics (DI) business, the company provides software products and consulting services to develop, manage, analyze and share critical drug discovery information. Within Tripos' Discovery Research (DR) business, Tripos' medicinal chemists and research scientists partner directly with clients in their research initiatives, leveraging state-of-the-art information technologies and research facilities. Further information on Tripos can be found at http://www.tripos.com.

Tripos and the Tripos logo are registered trademarks of Tripos, Inc., and/or its affiliates in the United States and certain other countries.

All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.

CONTACT: Tripos, Inc.
Jim Rubin, 314-647-8837
or
Waggener Edstrom Worldwide
Bioscience and Healthcare Practice
Lisa Osborne, 202-326-0793 (Media only)
lisao@waggeneredstrom.com
SOURCE: Tripos, Inc.

Cara Therapeutics Announces Results of Phase 1 Clinical Trial of Novel Analgesic; CR665 Safe and Pharmacologically Active Tarrytown, NY, July 28th, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/

Cara Therapeutics, Inc. today announced results of a Phase 1 clinical trial for its peripherally acting kappa opioid agonist, CR665, under development for the treatment of postoperative pain. The drug candidate was safe and well-tolerated after intravenous infusion, and resulted in plasma levels of CR665 expected to be associated with clinical analgesic activity. In addition, CR665 infusion triggered a quantitative endocrine biomarker of peripheral kappa opioid receptor activation in both men and women. The Phase 1a single-center clinical trial evaluated the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetic profile, and pharmacological activity of CR665 in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, single escalating intravenous dose study in 60 healthy male and female volunteers. CR665 was shown to be safe at all doses investigated, with no apparent gender differences, and no reports of serious side effects or adverse central nervous system activity. Linear, dose-proportional increases in systemic exposure to CR665 were observed. Relatively low doses of CR665 resulted in plasma levels at or above the plasma levels of a drug expected to be associated with clinical analgesic efficacy. In addition, the pharmacological activity of CR665 at peripheral kappa receptors was confirmed utilizing a quantitative endocrine biomarker, which demonstrated receptor activation at relatively low doses of the drug candidate. "We are extremely pleased with the outcome of our trial. These preliminary results are consistent with CR665's peripheral mechanism of action," stated Dr. Frédérique Menzaghi, Cara's Vice President of Research and Development. “The results have not only confirmed our expectations in relation to the safety of CR665 but have also provided evidence of kappa receptor activation at much lower drug doses than predicted from preclinical animal studies.” The Company aims to move CR665 forward into Phase 1b and Phase 2 trials in the coming months. About CR665 CR665 is the lead clinical development candidate from a series of highly selective peripheral kappa opioid receptor agonists. In preclinical studies, CR665 was highly selective for the peripheral kappa opioid receptor. Preclinical animal studies suggest that CR665 is a potent analgesic compound. In addition, unlike currently marketed opioids, CR665 does not produce inhibition of intestinal transit (ileus), induce respiratory depression, or elicit signs of addiction in animal models. Preclinical studies also indicate that CR665 possesses anti-inflammatory activities. About Cara Therapeutics Cara Therapeutics is a privately held biotechnology company focused on developing novel, superior therapeutics to treat pain and inflammation associated with diverse medical conditions. Cara's current pipeline includes near-term clinical drug candidates within a number of classes of peripherally-acting analgesics. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements include statements relating to the therapeutic applications of CR665 and about Cara's strategy, technologies, pre-clinical and clinical programs, and ability to identify and develop drugs, as well as other statements that are not historical facts. Actual events or results may differ materially from Cara's expectations. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the timing, success and cost of Cara's research and clinical studies and Cara's ability to obtain additional financing. These forward-looking statements represent Cara's judgment as of the date of this release. Cara disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements. For more information, please contact: Derek Chalmers President & CEO of Cara Therapeutics +1-914-347-4040 Source: Cara Therapeutics, Inc. TOP