Preclinical data showed the FABP5 inhibitor reduced osteoarthritis pain at levels comparable to naproxen while causing less stomach tissue damage, as the company prepares a multiple ascending repeat dose study.
Artelo Biosciences said new nonclinical osteoarthritis data support the therapeutic potential of ART26.12, its selective fatty acid binding protein 5 inhibitor, as a non-opioid pain treatment candidate. Research presented by Martin Kaczocha, Ph.D., Professor of Anesthesiology at Stony Brook University, at the International Cannabinoid Research Society 2026 Annual Symposium in Dijon, France, showed oral ART26.12 significantly reduced osteoarthritis-associated pain behaviors after acute and chronic dosing over four weeks, with efficacy comparable to naproxen. The company said ART26.12 produced different effects on endocannabinoids and other bioactive lipids and proteins than naproxen, supporting a novel mechanism of action, and caused significantly less stomach tissue damage, including non-glandular hyperkeratosis, an early indicator of erosions and gastric ulcers linked to chronic NSAID use. Artelo said the findings expand ART26.12’s potential beyond chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy into osteoarthritis and other chronic pain settings, and said enrollment for a clinical multiple ascending repeat dose study in healthy volunteers is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of this year.