Eldecalcitol shows fracture benefits in osteoporosis trial
This article was originally published in Scrip
Executive Summary
Chugai's (Roche) eldecalcitol (ED-71) has shown benefits over an existing therapy in a Japanese Phase III trial for osteoporosis. After three years, patients receiving the active vitamin D3 derivative once daily showed a significant reduction in the incidence of new vertebral bone fractures compared with once-daily alfacalcidol. This is a similar vitamin D3 prodrug, marketed by Chugai as Alfarol. The 1,087-patient trial, begun in 2004, showed a similar safety profile for the two products, the firm said. Full results will be released at a later date. Eldecalcitol is being co-developed with Taisho and is scheduled for submission next year, in a market comprising an estimated 12 million sufferers.