The trial aims to determine the tolerability, safety and pharmacokinetic profile of NKTR-181 upon repeat administration in preparation for Phase 2 clinical development in chronic pain patients.
In the study, four dose levels of NKTR-181 will be investiagted in around 60 healthy subjects over an eight-day treatment period.
Nektar chief medical officer Robert Medve said in the first Phase 1 study, NKTR-181 demonstrated a clinical profile that should enable once or twice daily dosing with an excellent safety profile.
"This second Phase 1 trial will help us further characterize the profile of the drug and establish dose ranges for Phase 2 development in patients with chronic pain, which is planned for 2012," Medve said.