--- title: Designing and Monitoring Anti-NGF Imaging Endpoints description: Members of our group have substantial experience in imaging in osteoarthritis and NGF-targeting therapies affected joints in a similar manner. image: https://www.thebrackengroup.com/hubfs/Blog%20Headers%20(39).png --- [![logo](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/hubfs/TBG/Images/logo.svg) ](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/) - Our Services & Expertise - Consulting - [Consulting Overview](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/expertise-overview) - [Clinical Trial Strategy & Operations](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/clinical-trial-strategy) - [Medical Imaging Strategy & Operations](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/medical-imaging-clinical-trials) - [Radiopharmaceutical Strategy & Operations](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/radiopharmaceuticals) - [Mergers & Acquisitions Advisory](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/mergers-and-acquisitions-due-diligence) - [Musculoskeletal Services](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/musculoskeletal-services) - [Neuroscience Expertise](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/neuroscience) - [Functional Service Provider](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/functional-service-provider) - [Consultant Publications](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/publications) - [Regulatory Affairs](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/regulatory) - [FDA Meeting Request Calculator](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/fda-meeting-calculator) - [Creative Digital Marketing](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/creative-digital-marketing-strategy) - [Data & Analytics](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/custom-analytics) - [Bracken CRM Add-On](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/bracken-crm) - [Bracken CRM Add-On Demos](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/analytics-demos) - [Our Team](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/team) - [Our Values](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/our-values) - Our Media - [Events & Conferences](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/upcoming-events) - [Case Study Library](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/case-studies) - [Blog](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/blog) - [Infographics](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/infographics) - [Interactive Digital Tools](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/interactive-digital-tools) - [FDA Meeting Request Calculator](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/fda-meeting-calculator) - [Thought Leadership](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/thought-leadership) - [Radiopharma Roundtables](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/radiopharma-roundtable-series) - [Fractals: Our Podcast](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/fractals-podcast) - [The Leaflet: Our Newsletter](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/the-leaflet-newsletter) - [Contact Us](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/contact) [![](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/hubfs/The%20Bracken%20Group/Combined%20Shape.png)  Back](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/case-studies-home) 11 June 2018 # Designing and Monitoring Anti-NGF Imaging Endpoints Written by [Colin G. Miller](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/case-studies/author/coling-miller) ![](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/hubfs/Blog%20Headers%20(39).png) **Problem** Anti-nerve growth factor (NGF) therapeutics are a new class of powerful analgesics in clinical development. But the FDA put their clinical development on hold in 2012 because joint destruction was observed in a small subset of patients. Pfizer, the leading developer of NGF compounds, needed a way to evaluate all major joints in subjects entering the new Phase III program. **Solution** Members of our group have substantial experience in imaging in osteoarthritis and NGF-targeting therapies affected joints in a similar manner, so Pfizer specifically sought us out. The solution was to: - Engage a team of radiologists to develop a new radiographic technique to evaluate the joints in the defined patient population. - Build and participate in a strong academic team that published a landmark [Imaging Atlas](https://www.oarsijournal.com/article/S1063-4584(14)01247-3/abstract) in 2015. The book described the technique and now serves as a key clinical reference. - Further develop specific inter-reader training and validation techniques to reduce variability in this new arena.  The first reproducibility paper from this study has already been published. **Outcome** Pfizer conducted a very successful anti-NGF program with all the radiological and MRI reads done in a reproducible and effective manner. - [Imaging Atlas - OARSI](https://www.oarsijournal.com/article/S1063-4584(14)01247-3/abstract) - [Imaging Atlas - *Science Direct* - Part I](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1063458414012618) - [Imaging Atlas - *Science Direct *- Part II](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1063458414012606) - [Imaging Atlas - *Science Direct* - Part III](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1063458414012643) - Reproducibility paper - Pfizer anti-NGF programs - [NCT02528253](https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02528253) - [NCT02528188](https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02528188) - [NCT02725411](https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02725411) - [NCT02709486](https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02709486) - [NCT02674386](https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02674386) [Click here to open a PDF version of this case study.](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/hubfs/Blog%20Post%20Images/TBG%20Case%20Study%20-%20Designing%20and%20Monitoring%20Anti-NGF%20Imaging%20Endpoints.pdf)   [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4628766/ced569ef-805e-4e07-a15f-5478c1ff39d8.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4628766/ced569ef-805e-4e07-a15f-5478c1ff39d8) RECENT CASE STUDIES [View All  ![](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/hubfs/The%20Bracken%20Group/Combined%20Shape.png)](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/case-studies) 3 June 2026 #### [Embedding Patient Engagement into Clinical Development](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/case-studies/embedding-patient-engagement-into-clinical-development) The Scenario A global, mid-sized biopharmaceutical company had made PFDD a strategic priority and.. 28 May 2026 #### [The Imaging Rescue Study: Stepping in Mid-Trial to Rescue a Phase 3 Oncology Study](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/case-studies/the-imaging-rescue-study-stepping-in-mid-trial-to-rescue-a-phase-3-oncology-study) The Scenario: A global healthcare and technology company needed an expert review of how medical.. ![logo](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/hubfs/TBG/Images/logo.svg) ###### [CONTACT](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/case-studies/2018/6/11/designing-and-monitoring-anti-ngf-imaging-endpoints#) The Bracken Group 12 Penns Trail Newtown, PA 18940 - [ + 1 215 648 1208 ](tel:+12156481208) - [ info@thebrackengroup.com ](mailto:info@thebrackengroup.com) ###### [SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: THE LEAFLET](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/the-leaflet-newsletter) ###### [SCHEDULE A CALL](https://meetings.hubspot.com/allyson-pauly) - [ LINKEDIN ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-bracken-group) - Services - [C-suite](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/functional-service-provider) - [Regulatory](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/regulatory) - [Creative Digital Marketing](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/creative-digital-marketing-strategy) - [Custom Analytics](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/custom-analytics) - [Consulting](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/expertise-overview) - Solutions - [Bracken CRM](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/bracken-crm) - Media - [Blog](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/blog) - [Case Studies](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/case-studies) - [Resources](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/en/resources-landing) - [The Leaflet](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/the-leaflet-newsletter) - Ecosystem - [Our Team & Story](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/team) - [Careers](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/career) - [Contact](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/contact) ![](https://www.thebrackengroup.com/hubfs/The%20Bracken%20Group/TBG%20Logo.png) ###### It's almost like getting free consulting... 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