Epristeride SmithKline Beecham.
Epristeride is a transition-state, noncompetitive steroid 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor under development by SmithKline Beecham for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia and acne. Phase III trials for prostatic hypertrophy with an oral formulation, have been initiated in the UK, the US and Japan [188478], [219166]. In healthy male volunteers, epristeride caused a reduction in serum dihydrotestosterone levels but serum testos-terone levels remained stable. In animal studies, it showed a similar potency to finasteride for the inhibition of 5-alpha-reductase [164200]. Epristeride is licensed to Ono which has exclusive rights in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. Recordati has co-marketing rights for epristeride [162547], [162519]. Analysts at Yamaichi estimate that epristeride will be launched in Japan between 1999 and 2000 and peak annual sales have been predicted to be over ten billion Yen [216018].
Hedge
S S
SS
Roche Bioscience, Center for Biological Research, Department of Urogenital Pharmacology, 3401 Hillview Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA.