VS-1 is an oral, ketamine-based medication currently in the planning stages for a Phase 2a clinical trial for patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). It is intended to reduce opioid usage, and with pain reduction, help patients get back to mobility earlier for speedier overall recovery.

With over 700,000 total knee replacement surgeries performed annually, an effective and safe opioid sparing alternative will positively impact many patients.

What makes VS-1 so promising:

• Non-opioid alternative
• Effectiveness rates similar to opioids without the opioid risks and side effects
• Easy oral administration at home
• VS-1 aims to have effective pain management with very low side effects

Why do we need better non-opioid pain management options:

• Impaired recovery: Opioids can delay mobility and hinder physical therapy progress post-surgery. Early mobility, for example, is a key factor in TKA recovery.
• Undesirable side effects: Nausea, sedation, constipation, and disorientation reduce patient comfort and satisfaction.
  
• Opioid epidemic and risk of dependence: Persistent opioid use can develop even in patients who are opioid-naïve before surgery.¹ Because total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is one of the most common procedures leading to initial opioid exposure, reducing reliance on opioids after surgery represents a critical unmet need.

¹8.2% of opioid-naïve patients undergoing TKA developed persistent opioid use at 6 months.
Goesling J, et al. Pain. 2016;157(6):1259-1265.