United States securities and exchange commission logo March 8, 2022 Christopher Posner Chief Executive Officer Cara Therapeutics, Inc. 4 Stamford Plaza 107 Elm Street, 9th Floor Stamford, Connecticut 06902 Re: Cara Therapeutics, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-3 Filed March 1, 2022 File No. 333-263165 Dear Mr. Posner: This is to advise you that we have not reviewed and will not review your registration statement. Please refer to Rules 460 and 461 regarding requests for acceleration. We remind you that the company and its management are responsible for the accuracy and adequacy of their disclosures, notwithstanding any review, comments, action or absence of action by the staff. Please contact Michael Davis at 202-551-4385 or Celeste Murphy at 202-551-3257 with any questions. Sincerely, Division of Corporation Finance Office of Life Sciences cc: Darren DeStefano