BioSante Pharmaceuticals Initiates Phase III Study of LibiGel(R) (transdermal testosterone gel) in the Treatment of Female Sexual Dysfunction.LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill. -- BioSante Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Amex: BPA BPA British Paediatric Association. ) announced today that it has initiated a Phase III safety and efficacy trial of LibiGel([R]) (transdermal testosterone gel) in the treatment of female sexual dysfunction sexual dysfunction Inability to experience arousal or achieve sexual satisfaction under ordinary circumstances, as a result of psychological or physiological problems. (FSD FSD Female Sexual Dysfunction FSD File System Driver FSD Family Support Division FSD Fire Services Department (Hong Kong) FSD Full Scale Development FSD Full Scale Deflection FSD Federal Systems Division ). The double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase III trial will enroll approximately 360 surgically menopausal women for a six-month clinical trial, conducted under a Phase III protocol and investigational new drug application (IND) reviewed by and on file with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA FDA abbr. Food and Drug Administration FDA, n.pr See Food and Drug Administration. FDA, n.pr the abbreviation for the Food and Drug Administration. ). As previously announced by BioSante, treatment with LibiGel([R])in a Phase II study, significantly increased satisfying sexual events in surgically menopausal women suffering from FSD. The Phase II study results showed LibiGel significantly increased the number of satisfying sexual events by 238 percent versus baseline (p<0.0001); this increase also was significant versus placebo (p<0.05). In this study, the effective dose of LibiGel produced testosterone blood levels within the normal range for pre-menopausal women and had a safety profile similar to that observed in the placebo group. In addition, no serious adverse events and no discontinuations due to adverse events occurred in any subject receiving LibiGel. The Phase II study was a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, conducted in the United States, in surgically menopausal women distressed by their low sexual desire and activity. "Based on discussions with the FDA and our positive results from the LibiGel Phase II study, we are moving forward into Phase III pivotal studies of women with low sexual desire, the largest component of FSD, also known as Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD HSDD Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder HSDD High School Drama Department HSDD High Speed Digital Design )," said Stephen M. Simes, president and chief executive officer of BioSante. "We are encouraged by the clinically significant improvement in sexual events with LibiGel treatment in the Phase II study," said Michael C. Snabes, MD, PhD, a reproductive endocrinologist and Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology obstetrics and gynecology Medical and surgical specialty concerned with the management of pregnancy and childbirth and with the health of the female reproductive system. , the American College of Surgeons This article or section needs sources or references that appear in reliable, third-party publications. Alone, primary sources and sources affiliated with the subject of this article are not sufficient for an accurate encyclopedia article. and the American College of Endocrinology and BioSante's key clinical development consultant. "Since there are no medications approved by the FDA for the treatment of this common disorder, there is significant demand by patients and their physicians. We are hopeful that if and when LibiGel is approved by the FDA that LibiGel treatment will be able to improve the sex lives of women with low sexual desire and activity." "We are pleased to be moving into Phase III clinical development of LibiGel. Female sexual dysfunction is underserved by the pharmaceutical industry today. LibiGel may help address this unmet medical need. We believe two Phase III safety and efficacy trials plus one year of safety data are the essential requirements for submission and approval by the FDA of a new drug application (NDA (Non Disclosure Agreement) An agreement signed between two parties that have to disclose confidential information to each other in order to do business. In general, the NDA states why the information is being divulged and stipulates that it cannot be used for any )," said Stephen M. Simes. "With the initiation of this Phase III LibiGel trial and our recent FDA approval of Elestrin[TM] (estradiol gel), this is a very exciting time for BioSante," he added. About LibiGel([R]) LibiGel is a gel formulation of bioidentical testosterone designed to be quickly absorbed through the skin after application on the upper arm, delivering testosterone to the bloodstream evenly over time and in a non-invasive and painless manner. Though generally characterized as a male hormone, testosterone also is present in women and its deficiency has been found to decrease libido or sex drive. In addition, studies have shown that testosterone therapy can increase bone density, raise energy levels and improve mood, in addition to boosting sexual desire and activity. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association is an international peer-reviewed general medical journal, published 48 times per year by the American Medical Association. JAMA is the most widely circulated medical journal in the world. , 43 percent of American women (about 40 million) experience some degree of impaired sexual function. Among the more than 1,400 women surveyed, 32 percent lacked interest in sex and 26 percent could not experience orgasm. The majority of women with FSD are postmenopausal post·men·o·paus·al adj. Of or occurring in the time following menopause. postmenopausal Change of life Gynecology adjective Referring to the time in ♀ when menstrual periods stop for ≥ 1 yr , experiencing FSD due to hormonal changes following menopause, whether natural or surgical. BioSante's hormone product portfolio In addition to LibiGel, BioSante recently received FDA approval for Elestrin[TM], a fast-drying gel formulation of bio-identical estradiol, in the treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor vasomotor /vaso·mo·tor/ (-mo´tor) 1. affecting the caliber of blood vessels. 2. a vasomotor agent or nerve. va·so·mo·tor adj. symptoms (hot flashes hot flashes Hot flush Gynecology A symptom afflicting 80-85% of middle-aged ♀, first occurring during the perimenopause, continuing with ↓ intensity for yrs, manifesting itself as transient waves of erythema and uncomfortable warmth beginning in the ) in menopausal women. Elestrin is absorbed through the skin after topical application on the upper arm, and delivers estradiol to the bloodstream evenly over time in a non-irritating, painless manner. Elestrin is administered using a metered dose applicator ap·pli·ca·tor n. An instrument for applying something, such as a medication. applicator, n a device for applying medication; usually a slender rod of glass or wood, used with a pledget of cotton on the end. that delivers 0.87 g of gel per actuation, thereby allowing for precise titration titration (tītrā`shən), gradual addition of an acidic solution to a basic solution or vice versa (see acids and bases); titrations are used to determine the concentration of acids or bases in solution. from dose to dose. The gel dries quickly in one to two minutes. Elestrin will be launched in mid-2007 by Bradley Pharmaceuticals, Inc., under a marketing agreement between BioSante and Bradley. About BioSante Pharmaceuticals, Inc. BioSante is developing a pipeline of hormone therapy Hormone therapy Treating cancers by changing the hormone balance of the body, instead of by using cell-killing drugs. Mentioned in: Breast Cancer, Thyroid Cancer hormone therapy products to treat both men and women. These hormone therapy products are gel formulations for transdermal administration that deliver bioidentical estradiol and testosterone. BioSante's lead products include Elestrin (estradiol gel) indicated for the treatment of moderate-to-severe vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause, and LibiGel([R]) (transdermal testosterone gel) in development for the treatment of female sexual dysfunction (FSD). The current market in the U.S. for estrogen and testosterone products is approximately $2.5 billion. The transdermal gel formulations used in the women's gel products are licensed by BioSante from Antares Pharma. The company also is developing its calcium phosphate nanotechnology (CaP) for novel vaccines, including avian flu and biodefense vaccines for toxins such as anthrax anthrax (ăn`thrăks), acute infectious disease of animals that can be secondarily transmitted to humans. It is caused by a bacterium (Bacillus anthracis and ricin ricin /ri·cin/ (ri´sin) a phytotoxin in the seeds of the castor oil plant (Ricinus communis), used in the synthesis of immunotoxins. ri·cin n. , and drug delivery systems. Additional information is available online at: www.biosantepharma.com. This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA) implemented several significant substantive changes affecting certain cases brought under the federal securities laws, including changes related to pleading, discovery, liability, class representation and awards fees and of 1995. The statements regarding BioSante contained in this news release that are not historical in nature, particularly those that utilize terminology such as "may," "will," "should," "likely," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates," "believes", "plans, "hopes", or comparable terminology, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions, and entail various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. Important factors known to BioSante that cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements are the difficulty of developing pharmaceutical products, the success of clinical testing, obtaining regulatory and other approvals and achieving market acceptance, and other factors identified and discussed from time to time in BioSante's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those factors discussed in BioSante's most recent Forms 10-K and 10-Q, which discussion also is incorporated herein by reference. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release. BioSante undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. |
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