Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of DS-1971a for the Treatment of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathic Pain (DPNP)

The hypothesis of this Phase 2 study is that at least 1 dose regimen of DS-1971a will demonstrate clinical superiority to placebo in managing pain associated with DPNP, and will be generally well tolerated.


Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Male or female ≥ 18 years of age.
* Body mass index (BMI) ≤ 40 kg/m2 at screening.
* Able to give written informed consent.
* Type 1 or 2 diabetes.
* HbA1c ≥ 7.0% and \< 9% at screening.
* On a stable anti-diabetic medication regimen (unchanged dose over the last 3 months for diabetes) prior to screening (insulin therapy is acceptable); no recent (i.e., within the previous 6 months) hospitalizations due to noncompliance or uncontrolled diabetes or introduction of new medications.
* ADPS of ≥ 4 on the 11-point numeric rating scale (NRS) over the past 7 days prior to randomization (based on completion of at least 4 daily pain diaries during the 7-day baseline period prior to randomization).
* Painful distal symmetrical sensorimotor polyneuropathy diagnosed for at least 6 months (positive Douleur Neuropathique 4 \[DN4\] questionnaire at screening).
* Women of child bearing potential (WOCBP) must be willing to use double-barrier contraception for the entire study.
* Subjects who, in the judgement of the Investigator, are likely to be compliant during the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Clinically significant unstable neurologic, psychiatric, ophthalmologic, hepatobiliary, respiratory, or hematologic illness or unstable cardiovascular disease (e.g., severe hypotension, uncontrolled cardiac arrhythmia, or myocardial infarction) or any other concurrent disease within 12 months prior to screening that in the opinion of the Investigator would interfere with study participation or assessment of safety and tolerability.
* Subjects who present with active cancer or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
* Creatinine clearance rate \< 60 mL/min.
* Current diagnosis of epilepsy or any seizure disorder requiring chronic therapy with anti-epileptics.
* Diagnosis of mononeuropathy.
* Subjects who are at risk of suicide as defined by their responses to the C-SSRS or in the opinion of the Investigator. Note: Subjects answering "yes" to any of the questions about suicidal ideation/intent/behaviors occurring within the past 12 months must be excluded (C-SSRS Suicide Ideation section-Questions 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5; C-SSRS Suicidal Behavior section, any of the suicide behaviors questions). Such subjects should be referred immediately to a mental health professional for appropriate evaluation.
* Any major uncontrolled psychiatric disorders such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or major depression.
* Abnormal liver function (aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase (AST/ALT) \> 2.5 × upper limit of normal (ULN), bilirubin \> 1.5 ULN).
* Subjects with history of gout, and/or urate nephrolithiasis, and/or with abnormally low serum uric acid (below the lowest laboratory reference range both in men and women) at baseline.
* Other sources of pain that may confound assessment or self-evaluation of DPNP such as disseminated osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.
* Neurologic disorders unrelated to diabetic peripheral neuropathy that may confound the assessment of DPNP.
* Amputation of lower extremity (including above- and below-knee amputation) due to diabetes mellitus.
* Unable or unwilling to discontinue current medications for chronic pain for the duration of the trial.
* Use of concomitant medications (i.e., opioids, tricyclic anti-depressives, and/or gamma retinoids) that may confound assessments of efficacy and/or safety.
* Inability or unwillingness to discontinue any other prohibited concomitant medications (see Section 5.6).
* Abuse or dependence on prescription medications, street drugs, or alcohol within the last year.
* Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding or intend to become pregnant during the study period.
* Known hypersensitivity to pregabalin or DS-1971a and/or known treatment failure on pregabalin.
* Subjects who are a family member of the Investigator or any associate, colleague, and employee assisting in the conduct of the study (secretary, nurse, technician).
* Subjects who cannot be contacted by phone in an emergency.
* Participated in another clinical study within 30 days prior to screening or is receiving other investigational agents.
* Subjects who are unlikely to comply with the protocol (e.g., uncooperative attitude, inability to return for subsequent visits) and/or otherwise considered by the Investigator to be unlikely to complete the study.