Ananda Pharma Launches ACTiON Trial for Chemotherapy Nerve Pain

Led by Professor Marie Fallon of the University of Edinburgh, the ACTiON trial aims to enroll 92 participants to evaluate both the safety and efficacy of the MRX1 oral solution. The study, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, will measure how the drug influences patient quality of life and broader healthcare utilization. Ananda Pharma CEO Melissa Sturgess described the trial as gold-standard work, noting that the patent-pending formulation is being tested against a placebo in a crossover design.

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy remains a significant clinical hurdle, often forcing doctors to reduce or cease life-saving cancer treatments. The condition affects approximately 140,000 new patients annually in the UK and contributes to an estimated $2.5 billion in healthcare costs each year in the US. Beyond its immediate impact on patient comfort, the lack of therapeutic alternatives creates a critical medical need, as the nerve damage frequently persists long after primary cancer treatment concludes.