Latigo Biotherapeutics reports positive Phase 2 trial results for its non-opioid pain drug LTG-001, positioning it to compete with Vertex Pharmaceuticals' Journavx in a multibillion-dollar market. In a study of 343 post-tummy tuck patients, both high and low doses of LTG-001 show statistically significant pain relief compared to placebo after 48 hours. High-dose patients also require significantly less rescue oxycodone, though they experience slightly higher rates of fever and lightheadedness.
Latigo LTG-001 Phase 2 trial
- ▪The Phase 2 trial randomized patients to receive a high dose of LTG-001, a low dose of LTG-001, a placebo, or a combination of acetaminophen and hydrocodone.
- ▪Latigo Biotherapeutics' Phase 2 trial of its experimental oral pain drug LTG-001 enrolled 343 patients who had undergone tummy tuck surgery.
Non-opioid pain drug market
- ▪Efforts to develop non-opioid pain drugs were marked by failure for decades prior to recent clinical advancements.
- ▪The market for non-opioid pain therapies is currently turning into a highly competitive, multibillion-dollar market.
Vertex Journavx competition
- ▪Latigo Biotherapeutics published positive Phase 2 data on July 29, 2026, for LTG-001, which is meant to rival Vertex Pharmaceuticals' Journavx.
- ▪Vertex Pharmaceuticals' Journavx is a non-opioid pain medicine that is already available on the market.
Post-surgical pain relief efficacy
- ▪The primary efficacy endpoint of pain relief for Latigo Biotherapeutics' LTG-001 was measured 48 hours after administration.
- ▪Both high and low doses of Latigo Biotherapeutics' oral drug LTG-001 achieved statistically significant pain relief compared to placebo.
Opioid-sparing treatment effects
- ▪Patients taking a high dose of Latigo Biotherapeutics' LTG-001 were significantly less likely to use the rescue opioid oxycodone compared to those on placebo.
- ▪Participants in all groups of the Latigo Biotherapeutics trial had the option to use the opioid oxycodone for additional pain management.
Adverse events profile
- ▪Lightheadedness was experienced by 6% of patients taking a high dose of LTG-001 compared to 1% of patients in the placebo group.
- ▪Latigo Biotherapeutics' LTG-001 was generally safe and well tolerated, with higher overall adverse event rates in the placebo group than in either treatment group.
- ▪Fever occurred in 7% of patients taking a high dose of LTG-001 compared to 2% on placebo.
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