AEterna Zentaris Opens Extended Study for Cetrorelix in Benign Prostatic H...(ix pamoate is currently in three Phase 3...)

The first multi-center efficacy study for which patient recruitment was completed in April 2008, is currently being conducted primarily in the United States and Canada, with additional sites in Europe and involves 667 patients under the supervision of lead investigator, Herbert Lepor, MD, Professor at NYU School of Medicine, New York. Patients enter a 4-week run-in no-treatment observation period to confirm severity and stability of voiding symptoms based on the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). Patients are then randomly allocated to cetrorelix or placebo in a double-blind fashion. Patients are administered cetrorelix by intra-muscular (IM) injection at Week 0, 2, 26 and 28 and are followed up to Week 52. Then, in an open-label extension, patients receive cetrorelix by IM injection at Week 52, 54, 78 and 80 and are followed up to Week 90.

The second multi-center Phase 3 efficacy study for which patient recruitment was completed in October 2008, involves 420 patients, mainly in Europe. Patients in this randomized placebo-controlled study with open-label extension conducted under the supervision of lead investigator, Prof. Frans M.J. Debruyne, MD, of the Andros Mannenkliniek, Arnhem, The Netherlands, receive cetrorelix according to similar dosing regimens used in the first study.

The primary endpoint for both North American and European efficacy studies is absolute change in IPSS between baseline and Week 52. Other efficacy endpoints include additional measures of BPH symptom progression and the need for BPH-related surgery. Safety endpoints include changes in sexual function. Other important endpoints include plasma changes in levels of testosterone, and assessment of other adverse events.

The third study in the Phase 3 program, a multi-center safety study, for which patient recrui
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