AbbVie , a research and development based global biopharmaceutical company in cooperation with Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.announced that the U.S. FDA has granted priority review for elagolix, an investigational, orally administered GnRH antagonist, being investigated for the management of endometriosis with associated pain.
The FDA grants priority review to medicines that it determines have potential to provide significant improvements in the safety and effectiveness of the treatment of a serious disease1. AbbVie expects the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date for the FDA to complete its review will be in Q2 2018.
“We are pleased that elagolix has been granted priority review by the FDA and will continue to work closely with the agency to hopefully bring this treatment to women suffering from endometriosis as soon as possible,” said Michael Severino, M.D., executive vice president, research and development and chief scientific officer, AbbVie.
The NDA is supported by data from the largest prospective randomized clinical trials conducted to date for endometriosis. The safety and efficacy of elagolix were evaluated in nearly 1,700 women with moderate-to-severe endometriosis-associated pain.
About Elagolix
Elagolix, a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor antagonist, is an orally administered, short-acting molecule that blocks endogenous GnRH signaling by binding competitively to GnRH receptors in the pituitary gland. Administration results in readily reversible, dose-dependent inhibition of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion, leading to reduced ovarian production of the ovarian sex hormones, estradiol and progesterone, while on therapy. Elagolix is currently being investigated in diseases that are mediated by ovarian sex hormones, such as uterine fibroids and endometriosis. To date, elagolix has been studied in over 40 clinical trials totaling more than 3,000 subjects. The FDA granted priority review for AbbVie’s NDA for endometriosis in Q4 2017. Phase 3 trials of elagolix for the management of uterine fibroids are ongoing.
About Endometriosis
Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to that normally found in the uterus begins to grow outside of the uterus, leading to long-term pelvic pain (during or between periods), pain with intercourse and other painful symptoms.2 These growths are called lesions and can occur on the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, or other areas near the uterus, such as the bowel or bladder.2,3 Estrogen fuels the growth of lesions.3 There is no cure for endometriosis,4 and the associated pain is currently managed with oral contraceptives, progestins, danazol, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioids, and GnRH agonists, many of which are not specifically indicated for the treatment of endometriosis.3 In more extensive cases, surgical interventions (e.g., laparotomy or laparoscopy) are often pursued, and may not be curative for all individuals.5
About AbbVie
AbbVie is a global, research-driven biopharmaceutical company committed to developing innovative advanced therapies for some of the world’s most complex and critical conditions. The company’s mission is to use its expertise, dedicated people and unique approach to innovation to markedly improve treatments across four primary therapeutic areas: immunology, oncology, virology and neuroscience. In more than 75 countries, AbbVie employees are working every day to advance health solutions for people around the world. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com
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(847) 936-5382
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(847) 935-2211
