Treatment of Uremic Pruritus With PA101B

The symptom score for determining eligibility will be established during the Screening Period (up to 4 weeks) and eligible patients will be randomly allocated in a 2:1 ratio between the active and placebo arms at the baseline visit (Week 0). During the Treatment Period, clinic visits will occur at the end of Weeks 1, 3, 5 and 7. Following completion of the Treatment Period, patients will enter a 2-week Washout Period in both treatment arms.

Routine hemodialysis treatment will continue according to the dialysis unit's standard practice in all patients.

Patients will be allowed to continue to use the same daily doses of pre-randomization H1 antihistamines as well as the same daily doses of any other allowed medications throughout the study.

Blood samples will be collected for various biomarkers. In a subset of patients, additional blood samples will be collected for pharmacokinetic assessments. Clinical safety assessments will be performed at each clinic visit.

Inclusion criteria

• Diagnosis of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring hemodialysis for at least 3 months prior to the Screening Period
• Receiving conventional hemodialysis (i.e., not hemofiltration or hemodiafiltration)
• Pruritus present for at least 6 weeks of Screening
• Mean pruritus severity score on a numerical rating scale (NRS) > 4
• Patient-Assessed Disease Severity Scale Type B or C at Screening
• Documentation of a urea reduction ratio (URR) >65% or single-pooled Kt/V> 1.4 during Screening
• Willing and able to provide written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Current or recent history of clinically significant medical condition, laboratory abnormality, or illness that could put the patient at risk or compromise the quality of the study data as determined by the investigator
• Myocardial infarction within 6 months or unstable angina, acute coronary syndrome, or interventional coronary procedure within 2 months of Screening
• Upper or lower respiratory tract infection (including sinus infection) within 4 weeks of Screening
• Severely symptomatic cardiopulmonary disease defined by the use of home oxygen treatment, dyspnea at rest or with minimal exertion, uncontrolled arrhythmias (e.g. atrial fibrillation with inadequate rate control), or history of life-threatening arrhythmias (e.g. cardiac arrest or syncope related to arrhythmia)
• Acute exacerbation of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease resulting in hospitalization or visit to an emergency department or urgent care clinic within 6 months of Screening
• Hospitalization for any medical reason other than for a pre-planned procedure or dialysis access related procedure within the 2 weeks of Screening
• Malignancy requiring active treatment with a systemic drug
• Participation in any other investigation drug study within 4 weeks of Screening
• Current or anticipated use of baclofen, gabapentin, pregabalin and nalbuphine for the treatment of pruritus
• Current or anticipated use of glucocorticoids administered intravenously, orally, or transdermally
• Pregnant or breastfeeding females, or if of child-bearing potential unwilling to practice acceptable means of birth control or abstinence during the study