/New Phase III RISE Trial Data Supports Efficacy of Qutenza® for Post-Surgical Neuropathic Pain
– Late-breaking data highlights significant pain relief in patients using Qutenza®
– Qutenza® shows sustained effectiveness over a treatment period of up to 42 weeks
– Findings presented at the 2026 IASP World Congress on Pain in Bangkok
– Grünenthal reinforces commitment to addressing post-surgical neuropathic pain
New findings from the Phase III RISE trial have underscored the efficacy and safety of Qutenza®, a topical treatment for post-surgical neuropathic pain, which affects millions of patients each year. These results were shared as late-breaking presentations during the 2026 International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) World Congress on Pain in Bangkok, Thailand.
The RISE trial, which included 409 participants, demonstrated that Qutenza® produced a statistically significant reduction in average pain intensity (API) compared to a control treatment over the weeks 2 to 12, fulfilling one of its pre-specified primary endpoints. While the difference at week 12 favoring Qutenza® was notable, it did not achieve statistical significance. In the trial’s extension phase, where up to four retreatments were allowed, Qutenza® again exhibited a statistically significant reduction in API over an extended period from weeks 2 to 42. Notably, safety findings were consistent with prior studies, revealing no new safety concerns regarding Qutenza®.
“Post-surgical neuropathic pain can be difficult to manage with current treatment options, and there is an urgent need for patient-centred, effective solutions. The RISE trial provides encouraging evidence that Qutenza® can deliver clinically meaningful and sustained pain reduction for up to 42 weeks, having shown a greater reduction in average pain intensity than the control,” stated Prof. Patrice Forget, MD, PhD, FFPMRCA, Clinical Chair in Anaesthesia at the University of Aberdeen and Honorary Consultant at NHS Grampian, Aberdeen, UK. “As IASP shines a global spotlight on neuropathic pain at this year’s congress, findings such as these are important to help improve outcomes for patients and reduce the burden of pain on families and healthcare systems.”
Uli Brödl, Chief Scientific Officer at Grünenthal, noted the significance of the findings, stating, “Post-surgical neuropathic pain has been relatively understudied and continues to go under-recognised in clinical practice. These results build on the robust body of evidence for Qutenza® and reinforce its potential to provide meaningful, long-lasting pain relief for people living with pain.”
Post-surgical neuropathic pain is a serious complication that can lead to prolonged suffering, impacting millions of individuals and often resulting in mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety. It is characterized by pain that persists beyond the normal recovery period and can involve conditions such as allodynia, hyperalgesia, and other painful sensations.
Qutenza® is already approved in Europe for treating peripheral neuropathic pain in adults and is also licensed in the U.S. for conditions including neuropathic pain associated with postherpetic neuralgia and diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
The RISE trial is designed as a multi-centre, randomised, double-blind, parallel-group study aimed at confirming Qutenza®’s safety and efficacy against a low-dose capsaicin control patch. This robust research underscores Grünenthal’s commitment to innovative pain management solutions that cater to the needs of patients suffering from neuropathic pain.
