Cara Therapeutics, Inc. announced the initiation of a Phase 2 trial of Oral KORSUVA™ (difelikefalin) for the treatment of moderate-to-severe pruritus in patients suffering from notalgia paresthetica (NP), a nerve disorder characterized by chronic pruritus of the upper to middle back. The Phase 2 multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 8-week study is designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Oral KORSUVA™ for moderate-to-severe pruritus in approximately 120 subjects with NP. Subjects will be randomized to Oral KORSUVA™ 2 mg taken twice daily (BID) vs. placebo for 8 weeks, followed by a 4-week active extension phase. The primary efficacy endpoint is the change from baseline in the weekly mean of the daily 24-hour Worst Itch-Numeric Rating Scale (WI-NRS) score at Week 8 of the treatment period. Secondary endpoints include change from baseline in itch-related quality of life scores at the end of Week 8 and safety assessments.