The aim of this trial was to investigate the safety of intravenous neridronic acid in patients with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).

The trial was divided into 3 periods: a 60-day enrollment period, a treatment period consisting of 4 infusions over 10 days, and a follow-up period of approximately 50 weeks (with visits at Week 2, Week 6, Week 12, Week 26, Week 39, and Week 52).

At the Enrollment Visit the trial objectives, procedures, and risks were explained to the participants and the informed consent form was signed. Medical history was obtained, a physical examination was conducted, and other safety assessments were performed. Signs and symptoms of CRPS were assessed to confirm the diagnosis of CRPS according to the Budapest clinical criteria. Participants were trained to report their pain. Calcium and vitamin D supplementation were initiated to ensure sufficient vitamin D levels prior to treatment.

Participants meeting all eligibility criteria received infusions of investigational medicinal product (IMP) during visits on Day 1, Day 4, Day 7, and Day 10. Flexibility of ±1 day was allowed for Day 4, Day 7, and Day 10 whilst ensuring a minimum period of 48 hours between infusions. During the treatment period and follow-up period, pain intensity ratings were captured at the site visits in a patient reported-outcome system.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Informed consent signed.
• Male or female participant at least 18 years of age at Visit 1.
• A diagnosis of complex regional pain syndrome according to the clinical diagnostic criteria recommended by the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP; "Budapest clinical criteria"), assessed at Visit 1. Signs and symptoms of CRPS must apply to an affected limb (arm or leg) and must demonstrate asymmetry with respect to the contralateral limb.
• Ongoing moderate to severe chronic pain, including a baseline current pain intensity score of greater than or equal to 4 using an 11-point Numerical Rating Scale, referring to the CRPS-affected limb, at Visit 2 (prior to dosing).
• In stable treatment and follow-up therapy for CRPS for at least 1 month prior to allocation to treatment (Visit 2). Participants must have failed trials of at least 2 treatments for CRPS, one of which must be a pharmacologic treatment.
• Women of child-bearing potential must have a negative urine beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-HCG) pregnancy test at Visit 1 and must be using 2 forms of medically acceptable contraception, including at least 1 highly effective method of contraception with a low failure rate, defined as less than 1% per year (e.g., oral contraceptives or intrauterine device), and a second medically acceptable method such as use of condoms with spermicide by their male partner. A barrier method alone is not acceptable. Highly effective methods of contraception must be used for at least 1 month prior to Visit 2 and for the duration of the trial.
• Participants must be able to communicate meaningfully, be able to differentiate with regard to location and intensity of the pain, and be able to answer the questions in the questionnaires used in this trial (assistance in filling out the questionnaires may be provided, if required due to motor or other impairment).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Evidence of renal impairment (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 using the 2009 Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration [CKD-EPI] creatinine equation [Levey et al. 2009] or a urinary albumin creatinine ratio greater than 150 mg/g), based on central safety laboratory data obtained prior to Visit 2, or a history of chronic kidney disease. Note: a single repeat laboratory test is allowed.
• Serum calcium or magnesium outside of the central laboratory's reference range, based on central safety laboratory data obtained prior to Visit 2 (a single repeat laboratory test is allowed); a history of hypocalcemia or a metabolic disorder anticipated to increase risk for hypocalcemia (e.g., hypoparathyroidism); concomitant use of drug(s) with known potential to cause hypocalcemia (e.g., aminoglycosides).
• Vitamin D deficiency, defined as a 25(OH)D level less than 30 ng/mL, based on central safety laboratory data obtained prior to Visit 2 (up to 4 repeat laboratory tests are allowed). Participants with vitamin D deficiency should receive appropriate supplementation during the enrollment period. A vitamin D level of at least 30 ng/mL must be documented prior to allocation to investigational medicinal product (IMP).
• Corrected QT interval (according to Fridericia's formula; QTcF) greater than 470 ms (average of 3 electrocardiograms [ECGs] obtained at Visit 1); serum potassium outside the central laboratory's reference range at Visit 1; clinically unstable cardiac disease, including: unstable atrial fibrillation, symptomatic bradycardia, unstable congestive heart failure, active myocardial ischemia, or an indwelling pacemaker; evidence of complete left bundle branch block; complete atrioventricular block; history of Long QT Syndrome or a relative with this condition; or any other known risk factor for torsade de pointes.
• Participants receiving medications with a known risk of torsades de pointes within 7 days prior to allocation. Participants receiving selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor antidepressants (e.g., citalopram, escitalopram) or tricyclic antidepressants are eligible if the QT-interval values do not meet the exclusion criteria, the medication was started at least 1 month prior to allocation, the dose is stable, and the dose is anticipated to remain stable until at least 4 days after the last infusion of IMP.
• Anticipated requirement for treatment with oral or intravenous bisphosphonate for another condition such as osteoporosis during the trial, or administration of denosumab (Prolia®) or other drugs affecting bone turnover or bone metabolism within 6 months prior to Visit 1.
• History of any allergic or hypersensitivity reaction to neridronic acid or other bisphosphonate, acetaminophen, or to vitamin D or calcium supplements.
• Recent tooth extraction or other invasive dental procedure (within 3 months prior to Visit 1), unhealed or infected extraction site, or significant dental/periodontal disease (e.g., impacted molars, severe tooth decay, foci of infection) that may predispose to need for tooth extraction or other invasive dental procedures during the trial. Participants with indeterminate, suspicious or unreliable dental history, in the opinion of the investigator, must undergo a dental examination prior to receiving treatment.
• Evidence of denture-related gum trauma or improperly fitting dentures causing injury.
• Prior radiation therapy of the head or neck (within 1 year of Visit 1).
• History of malignancy within 2 years prior to Visit 1, with the exception of basal cell carcinoma.
• Use of nerve blocks, ketamine infusions, intravenous immunoglobulin, acupuncture, electromagnetic field treatment, or initiation/implementation of radiofrequency ablation or other sympathectomy procedures, or peripheral nerve stimulation within 6 weeks prior to Visit 2.
• Evidence of current alcohol or drug abuse, or history of alcohol or drug abuse within 2 years of Visit 1, based on participant history and physical examination and according to the investigator's judgment.
• Any other severe medical condition, including severe depression, or any other severe mood disorder, that in the opinion of the investigator may affect efficacy or safety assessments or may compromise the participant's safety during trial participation.
• Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Elevated aspartate aminotransferase or alanine aminotransferase greater than 2-fold upper limit of normal, based on central safety laboratory data obtained at Visit 1, or current evidence of chronic liver disease. Safety laboratory testing may be repeated prior to Visit 2, and participants will be allowed in the trial if results of 2 consecutive tests, at least 3 days apart, are less than or equal to 2-fold upper limit of normal.
• Participation in another investigational drug trial within 3 months prior to Visit 1 or any previous trial with neridronic acid, with the exception of participants of KF7013-01 who were assigned to placebo and did not receive neridronic acid.
• Participant is engaged in litigation related to their disability from CRPS in which monetary gain or loss (or other compensation) may affect their objective participation in the trial.
• Participants taking forbidden concomitant medications/therapies or not being able to follow the rules of use of concomitant treatment.
• Participants incapable of signing the informed consent.

Information available on the Grünenthal Web Site

The sponsor reserves the right to review any proposed presentation of the results of this trial before they are submitted for publication or public disclosure. Neither party (e.g., the sponsor, the coordinating investigator) has the right to prohibit publication or public disclosure unless it can be shown to affect possible patent rights.