Swedish osteoporosis drug trialled in humans
Swedish company Medivir is commencing its first human trial with a new drug against osteoporosis.
Swedish company Medivir is commencing its first human trial with a new drug against osteoporosis.
Over the past five years, the company has developed compound MIV-701, an inhibitor of the enzyme, cathepsin K, which degrades bone and is also believed to contributes to cartilage damage in joint diseases. Laboratory research and comprehensive preclinical studies have shown the drug can reduce the degradation of bone.
The clinical trial will investigate how an oral form of MIV-701 is taken up and tolerated by the body. A preliminary assessment of the compound's efficacy on osteoporosis and other skeletal disorders such as arthritis and bone metastases, will also be carried out.
Osteoporosis is a widely prevalent disease and currently existing pharmaceuticals either do not provide adequate efficacy or have serious side-effects.
On current estimates, every second woman and every fourth man will suffer from osteoporosis. The disorder often leads to fractures of bone and vertebrae, causing great suffering and social costs. Global sales of osteoporosis pharmaceuticals are expected to amount to nearly SEK 80 bn (Euro 8.6bn) in 2008.
"If our expectations on the efficacy and safety of the compound are met, we are looking at a blockbuster market," said Medivir ceo Lars Adlersson.