Challenge

Anti-nerve growth factor (NGF) therapeutics are a new class of powerful analgesics in clinical development. They were put on clinical development hold by the FDA in 2012 due to joint-destruction that was observed in a small subset of patients.

The leader in the development of this class of compounds, Pfizer, needed help to develop a way of evaluating all major joints in subjects entering the new Phase III program.

Solution

Our medical imaging consultant Colin Miller has substantial experience in NGF-targeting therapies and was therefore specifically sought out by Pfizer. He assembled a team of radiologists and together they developed a new radiographic technique to evaluate joints in these patients. Through this ground-breaking work we built a strong academic team that published a landmark Imaging Atlas in 2015, which described the technique and serves as a key clinical reference. We co-authored this publication and helped roll out the new program. Our consultant continues to be the team liaison for the radiologists involved in this trial, coordinating the team and ensuring sufficient imaging quality to enable the success of this trial.