Neurocrine Biosciences Commences Phase IIB Study of Elagolix in Uterine Fibroids

Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. NBIX today announced that a Phase IIb clinical trial to evaluate elagolix for the treatment of uterine fibroids has been initiated. Elagolix is an oral gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist, in development by AbbVie for the treatment of uterine fibroids and endometriosis. Neurocrine and AbbVie entered into a collaboration and license agreement for elagolix during 2010. "Based on the positive data from the uterine fibroids Phase IIa trial, AbbVie has progressed elagolix into Phase IIb for uterine fibroids," said Kevin C. Gorman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Neurocrine Biosciences. "We are pleased with this advancement, as well as the ongoing Phase III program in endometriosis, and look forward to the continued development of elagolix in these two disease states which both have high unmet medical needs." The Phase IIb uterine fibroids study is a randomized, parallel, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluating elagolix in women with heavy uterine bleeding associated with uterine fibroids. This study will evaluate 280 subjects over a six-month placebo-controlled dosing period. The primary efficacy endpoint of the study is an assessment of the change in menstrual blood loss utilizing the alkaline hematin method comparing baseline to month six. Additional secondary efficacy endpoints will be evaluated including assessing the change in fibroid volume and hemoglobin. Bone mineral density will be assessed via DXA scan at baseline, the conclusion of dosing, and six months post-dosing.