Technology evaluation: Abarelix, Praecis pharmaceuticals.
Abarelix (PPI-149) is a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) receptor antagonist under development by Praecis, Amgen and Sanofi-Synthelabo for the potential treatment of prostate cancer, breast cancer and hormone-related disorders [285672,328910]. Abarelix has entered phase III clinical trials for hormonally responsive prostate cancer [311887], and a sustained-release formulation is in a phase I/II clinical trial for endometriosis [317822]. In June 1997, Praecis entered into a collaboration with Sanofi-Synthelabo for the continued development and future marketing of Abarelix for the treatment of prostate cancer and other hormone-related disorders in Europe [248307]. In June 1998, Roche gained marketing rights in the US and elsewhere, under a joint development agreement [289677], which was later terminated. In March 1999, Amgen gained rights to develop Abarelix in the US, Canada, Australia, Asia and other secondary markets [317822]. Sanofi-Synthelabo expects to launch the compound in Europe in 2001 [345341,346302]. In March 1999, Merrill Lynch predicted sales in 2001 of US$75 million, with peak sales of up to US$400 million [336561]. In October 1999, Merrill Lynch predicted sales in 2003 of EUR 100 million [346209] and Lehman Brothers predicted sales of US$50 million in 2002 rising to a peak of US$150 million in 2010 [346267].
Department of Urology, Medical University of Luebeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538 Luebeck, Germany. doehn@medinf.mu-luebeck.de
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Doehn
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D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001709:Biotechnology; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009376:Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent / Q000188:drug therapy; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011966:Receptors, LHRH / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D009842:Oligopeptides; D011966:Receptors, LHRH; C423508:abarelix