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Cara Therapeutics is a technology company.
Cara Therapeutics develops novel biopharmaceutical treatments, with its primary product being KORSUVA (difelikefalin). This medication is a first-in-class kappa opioid receptor agonist, designed to address chronic pruritus, particularly in patients undergoing hemodialysis. The company’s approach centers on targeting specific pathways to provide relief for conditions characterized by persistent and severe itching.
The company was founded in 2004 by Frederique Menzaghi and Dr. Michael Lewis, establishing its operations in Stamford, Connecticut. Their foundational insight centered on exploring and developing a distinct class of therapeutic candidates that selectively activate kappa opioid receptors, aiming to separate antipruritic and analgesic effects from the central nervous system side effects typically associated with traditional opioids.
Cara Therapeutics serves patients who experience moderate to severe pruritus, such as those suffering from chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus (CKD-aP). The company’s vision is to advance new treatment paradigms, offering solutions that significantly improve the quality of life for individuals burdened by debilitating itch. Their work aims to deliver targeted therapies that fulfill unmet medical needs in this patient population.
Cara Therapeutics has raised $56.0M across 4 funding rounds.
Cara Therapeutics has raised $56.0M in total across 4 funding rounds.
Cara Therapeutics is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company, not a general technology company, focused on developing and commercializing therapies for chronic pruritus (itch) and related conditions.[1][2][5] Its lead product, KORSUVA (difelikefalin) injection, treats moderate-to-severe pruritus in adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing hemodialysis, addressing a significant unmet need in patients where itch severely impacts quality of life.[1][3] The company also advances oral difelikefalin in Phase II/III trials for notalgia paresthetica pruritus and holds licensing deals with partners like Vifor Fresenius Medical Care Renal Pharma, Maruishi Pharmaceutical, and Chong Kun Dang for global commercialization.[1] With only 10 employees and headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut, Cara demonstrates lean operations amid recent S-4 filings signaling potential strategic shifts.[1]
Incorporated in 2004, Cara Therapeutics emerged as a clinical-stage biotech targeting pain and inflammation through peripherally-acting analgesics, leveraging its proprietary GPCR DimerScreen™ technology for novel kappa opioid receptor agonists.[1][2] Founders built on early research into compounds that activate peripheral pain-sensing nerves without central nervous system side effects like addiction, respiratory depression, or ileus—differentiating from traditional opioids.[2][3] Key milestones include the 2014 IPO and progression of KORSUVA through Phase III trials, achieving FDA approval for CKD-aP in hemodialysis patients, marking its shift to commercial-stage operations.[1][3] Under CEO Christopher Posner, the company has navigated partnerships for ex-U.S. expansion while pursuing additional indications.[1]
Cara rides the pruritus treatment wave in biotech, where chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus (CKD-aP) affects up to 60% of hemodialysis patients, yet few targeted therapies exist beyond symptom management.[1][3] Timing aligns with rising demand for non-opioid alternatives amid the opioid crisis, positioning peripheral kappa agonists as a safer innovation in pain/itch therapeutics.[2][3] Market forces like aging populations, expanding dialysis needs, and regulatory push for itch-specific approvals favor Cara, influencing the ecosystem by validating peripheral nervous system targeting and inspiring similar GPCR-based pipelines.[2] Its partnerships amplify U.S.-centric biotech impact globally, contributing to precision medicine in underserved nephrology and dermatology overlaps.[1]
Recent S-4/A filings (January/February 2025) suggest potential merger, acquisition, or restructuring, critical for a small-cap biotech with $271M assets but limited scale.[1][4] Pipeline expansion into oral difelikefalin and new indications could drive growth if trials succeed, bolstered by partnerships mitigating cash burn. Trends like non-addictive pain therapies and pruritus awareness will shape its path, potentially evolving Cara from niche player to broader dermatology/nephrology leader—or acquisition target for big pharma. This positions it as a high-risk, high-reward bet in biotech's itch-relief frontier, correcting the tech company misnomer with its true biopharma focus.[1][5]
Cara Therapeutics has raised $56.0M in total across 4 funding rounds.
Cara Therapeutics's investors include Martin Vogelbaum, Connecticut Innovations, Digitalis Ventures, Alta Partners, Ascent Biomedical Ventures, Devon Park Bioventures, Healthcare Private Equity, Mitsubishi Corporation, MVM Partners, MPM Capital.
Cara Therapeutics has raised $56.0M across 4 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $15.0M Series D in July 2010.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 1, 2010 | $15.0M Series D | Martin Vogelbaum | Connecticut Innovations, Digitalis Ventures, Alta Partners, Ascent Biomedical Ventures, Devon Park Bioventures, Healthcare Private Equity, Mitsubishi Corporation, MVM Partners |
| Jul 1, 2008 | $12.0M Series C | Connecticut Innovations, Digitalis Ventures | |
| Nov 1, 2006 | $24.0M Series C | Digitalis Ventures, MPM Capital | |
| Dec 1, 2005 | $5.0M Series B | Digitalis Ventures |