
Assuming All Drugs Under Clinical Trials Are FDA Approved, I



Indication is: Uterine leiomyoma
1. Assume Elagolix (Orilissa) is FDA approved for Uterine leiomyoma. In your view as a specialist, would a doctor consider it to be a substitute and a competitor to Ulipristal (Esmya) for purposes of treating patients? I note that the two drugs treat the same indication but have different mechanisms of action.
2. Why or why not?
See below the research that we have already done (so it is not necessary to give me any background on the drugs):
Approved Name
(Alternate names)
Ulipristal (Esmya, Ulipristal acetate, CDB-2914, VA-2914, Fibristal, RTI 3021-12, PGL-4001)
Stage
Launched (Uterine leiomyoma)
Sales ($m) --
Indication Uterine leiomyoma, Pregnancy
Mechanism of Action Selective progesterone receptor modulators
Companies Involved
Licensees: Allergan, Takeda, PregLem, Orient Europharma, Hyphens, XXXXXXX Richter
Description
Ulipristal is an antiprogestogen for oral use as an emergency post-coital contraceptive and for the treatment of uterine leiomyoma. It prevents progesterone from occupying its receptor, blocking usual gene transcription activity to prevent the formation of proteins to begin and maintain pregnancy.
In Jan-19, Health Canada reported that ulipristal may be associated with serious liver injury. In Feb-18, European Medicines Agency said its PRAC is reviewing risks of ulipristal, following reports of serious liver injury, including liver failure.
Launch, Geographic Details Uterine leiomyoma: In Feb-12, the EC approved ulipristal (Esmya) for treatment of of uterine leiomyoma. It was first launched in the UK in Apr-12 and has since launched in Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, France, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway. In Aug-18, Allergan received a complete response letter (CRL) from the US FDA for ulipristal, citing safety concerns regarding Esmya and requesting additional information. In Oct-17, the US FDA accepted an NDA application for ulipristal for abnormal uterine bleeding in women with uterine fibroids.
Endometriosis: Ulipristal was in Phase I development for endometriosis, and preclinical evaluation for breast cancer. There are no recent developments and active investigations seem to have ceased.
Patent Details
Ulipristal acetate is protected by a patent that expires in 2029.
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Approved Name
(Alternate names)
Elagolix
(Orilissa, NBI-56418, ABT-620)
Stage
Phase III (Uterine leiomyoma)
Launched (Endometriosis)
Sales ($m) $557m (‘20E)
Indication
Uterine leiomyoma, Endometriosis
Mechanism of Action
LHRH receptor antagonists
Companies Involved
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (US): Originator
AbbVie (US): Licensee
Neurocrine Biosciences (): Licensee
Description
Elagolix manages pain associated with endometriosis and menorrhagia associated with uterine fibroids. It is a small molecule gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor antagonist which inhibits endogenous GnRH signalling by binding competitively to GnRH receptors in the pituitary gland. Oral administration of elagolix causes a rapid, reversible, dose-dependent inhibition of luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion, which reduces the production of the ovarian sex hormones, estradiol and progesterone.
Launch, Geographic Details
Uterine fibroids, Uterine leiomyoma: Undergoing Phase III trials in UK and US. In Apr-19, AbbVie initiated a Phase III trial to assess safety and efficacy of elagolix in reducing heavy menstrual bleeding associated with uterine fibroids in premenopausal women. In Mar-18, it completed a Phase III study and met its primary efficacy endpoint to of elagolix in patients with uterine leiomyoma. An extension safety and efficacy study in Mar-19 was completed in treating uterine leiomyoma.
Patent Details
Neurocrine Biosciences has been granted six US patents for elagolix, some expiring in 2021 and some in 2024.

Indication is: Uterine leiomyoma
1. Assume Elagolix (Orilissa) is FDA approved for Uterine leiomyoma. In your view as a specialist, would a doctor consider it to be a substitute and a competitor to Ulipristal (Esmya) for purposes of treating patients? I note that the two drugs treat the same indication but have different mechanisms of action.
2. Why or why not?
See below the research that we have already done (so it is not necessary to give me any background on the drugs):
Approved Name
(Alternate names)
Ulipristal (Esmya, Ulipristal acetate, CDB-2914, VA-2914, Fibristal, RTI 3021-12, PGL-4001)
Stage
Launched (Uterine leiomyoma)
Sales ($m) --
Indication Uterine leiomyoma, Pregnancy
Mechanism of Action Selective progesterone receptor modulators
Companies Involved
Licensees: Allergan, Takeda, PregLem, Orient Europharma, Hyphens, XXXXXXX Richter
Description
Ulipristal is an antiprogestogen for oral use as an emergency post-coital contraceptive and for the treatment of uterine leiomyoma. It prevents progesterone from occupying its receptor, blocking usual gene transcription activity to prevent the formation of proteins to begin and maintain pregnancy.
In Jan-19, Health Canada reported that ulipristal may be associated with serious liver injury. In Feb-18, European Medicines Agency said its PRAC is reviewing risks of ulipristal, following reports of serious liver injury, including liver failure.
Launch, Geographic Details Uterine leiomyoma: In Feb-12, the EC approved ulipristal (Esmya) for treatment of of uterine leiomyoma. It was first launched in the UK in Apr-12 and has since launched in Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, France, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway. In Aug-18, Allergan received a complete response letter (CRL) from the US FDA for ulipristal, citing safety concerns regarding Esmya and requesting additional information. In Oct-17, the US FDA accepted an NDA application for ulipristal for abnormal uterine bleeding in women with uterine fibroids.
Endometriosis: Ulipristal was in Phase I development for endometriosis, and preclinical evaluation for breast cancer. There are no recent developments and active investigations seem to have ceased.
Patent Details
Ulipristal acetate is protected by a patent that expires in 2029.
--------------------------------------------
Approved Name
(Alternate names)
Elagolix
(Orilissa, NBI-56418, ABT-620)
Stage
Phase III (Uterine leiomyoma)
Launched (Endometriosis)
Sales ($m) $557m (‘20E)
Indication
Uterine leiomyoma, Endometriosis
Mechanism of Action
LHRH receptor antagonists
Companies Involved
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (US): Originator
AbbVie (US): Licensee
Neurocrine Biosciences (): Licensee
Description
Elagolix manages pain associated with endometriosis and menorrhagia associated with uterine fibroids. It is a small molecule gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor antagonist which inhibits endogenous GnRH signalling by binding competitively to GnRH receptors in the pituitary gland. Oral administration of elagolix causes a rapid, reversible, dose-dependent inhibition of luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion, which reduces the production of the ovarian sex hormones, estradiol and progesterone.
Launch, Geographic Details
Uterine fibroids, Uterine leiomyoma: Undergoing Phase III trials in UK and US. In Apr-19, AbbVie initiated a Phase III trial to assess safety and efficacy of elagolix in reducing heavy menstrual bleeding associated with uterine fibroids in premenopausal women. In Mar-18, it completed a Phase III study and met its primary efficacy endpoint to of elagolix in patients with uterine leiomyoma. An extension safety and efficacy study in Mar-19 was completed in treating uterine leiomyoma.
Patent Details
Neurocrine Biosciences has been granted six US patents for elagolix, some expiring in 2021 and some in 2024.
Ulipristal is a better drug
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I understand your concerns.
Following is my reply:
1) Elagolix and ulipristal have complete different mechanism of action.
2) Elagolix is in market from a long time. Being GnRh antagonist it has limited effect on reducing the size of myoma.
3) On the other hand Ulipristal is a newer drug and is extremely potent in action to reduce the size of myoma. This is a wonder drug and some authors have described it to be similar to medical myomectomy.
4) These both do not act against each other. If given choice among 2, ulipristal is the drug of choice for myoma. I have personally seen many patients benefitted from ulipristal.
Let me know if you need anymore help.
Regards

Ulipristal is a better drug
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I understand your concerns.
Following is my reply:
1) Elagolix and ulipristal have complete different mechanism of action.
2) Elagolix is in market from a long time. Being GnRh antagonist it has limited effect on reducing the size of myoma.
3) On the other hand Ulipristal is a newer drug and is extremely potent in action to reduce the size of myoma. This is a wonder drug and some authors have described it to be similar to medical myomectomy.
4) These both do not act against each other. If given choice among 2, ulipristal is the drug of choice for myoma. I have personally seen many patients benefitted from ulipristal.
Let me know if you need anymore help.
Regards


The indication is only Endometriosis. I would like to know if the following drugs compete against each other.
1. In your view as a specialist, would a doctor consider Lo Loestrin Fe, an oral contraceptive to be a substitute and a competitor to
a) Enanton (leuprorelin depot)
b) elagolix (Orilissa)
c) Lepaneta Pack (leuprorelin + norethisterone)
for purposes of treating patients for Endometriosis? Kindly specify the process and in particular how Lo Loestrin Fe is the same/different from each of the three drugs (a, b, c) above.
Thanks again, excellent work. Much appreciated
Rod

The indication is only Endometriosis. I would like to know if the following drugs compete against each other.
1. In your view as a specialist, would a doctor consider Lo Loestrin Fe, an oral contraceptive to be a substitute and a competitor to
a) Enanton (leuprorelin depot)
b) elagolix (Orilissa)
c) Lepaneta Pack (leuprorelin + norethisterone)
for purposes of treating patients for Endometriosis? Kindly specify the process and in particular how Lo Loestrin Fe is the same/different from each of the three drugs (a, b, c) above.
Thanks again, excellent work. Much appreciated
Rod
All 3 are different drugs
Detailed Answer:
Hi Rod,
All 3 drugs you have mentioned belong to different class and does not compete with each other. Lo Loestrin Fe oral contraceptive is almost similar to third drug Lepaneta pack and no need to take them together.
If you are treating endometriosis, none of these medicines offer permanent cure. They are for temporary suppression of endometrioma. Surgical excision of endometrioma would be better option. On the other hand, if endometrioma is not affecting you, leave it alone.
Regards

All 3 are different drugs
Detailed Answer:
Hi Rod,
All 3 drugs you have mentioned belong to different class and does not compete with each other. Lo Loestrin Fe oral contraceptive is almost similar to third drug Lepaneta pack and no need to take them together.
If you are treating endometriosis, none of these medicines offer permanent cure. They are for temporary suppression of endometrioma. Surgical excision of endometrioma would be better option. On the other hand, if endometrioma is not affecting you, leave it alone.
Regards

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