A Placebo Controlled, Double Blind, Randomised, 8-week Phase IIa Proof of Concept Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of AKR 202 in Patients With Osteoarthritis Pain

Inclusion Criteria: Patient is between 40 and 75 years of age with a clinical diagnosis of OA of the knee for more than 6 months prior to Visit 1 based on clinical and radiographic criteria, and being of American Rheumatism Association (ARA) functional Class I, II, or III. Patients should have an average pain level of between 4 and 8 on a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for at least 5 of 7 days before the randomisation, when answering the question: Please, rate the average pain in your index knee during the last 24 hours. Prior to the study, patients should have been using pharmacological treatments, such as Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAIDs), acetaminophen or weak opioids for their OA pain on a regular basis (defined as having used NSAIDs, acetaminophen or weak opioids at least 10 days out of 30 days during the last month prior to the screening visit). Exclusion Criteria: Patient has a concurrent medical/arthritic disease that could confound or interfere with evaluation of efficacy. Patients with impaired renal function, defined as an estimated creatinine clearance less than or equal to 50 ml/min, or patients taking medications that might impair renal function. Patient has New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III-IV congestive heart failure. The patient has a history of uncontrolled hypertension or a current blood pressure that in the opinion of the Investigator makes the patient unsuitable for the study. Patients with a trauma or surgery at the index knee within 3 months prior to screening.