Eisai sells “new class” of SORM to American company

Eisai, Japan’s largest pharmaceutical company, has sold what is described as a new “new class” of selective oestrogen receptor modules (SORMs) to Radius, a Massachusetts pharmaceutical company.

The new type of SORM is designed to prevent hot flushes and osteoporosis in post-menopausal women. SORMs are designed to improve bone mass, which reduces in older women, by stimulating oestrogen receptors. They are intended to provide some of the more beneficial effects of oestrogen, without some of the adverse affects like bone mass reduction.

In the case of RAD 1901, the drug developed by Eisai and sold to Radius, hot flushes can also be reduced – something that can be exacerbated by other types of SORMs.

C Richard Lyttle, president and chief executive of Radius, remarked: “RAD 1901 is possibly the first of a new class of SORMs that can both relieve hot flashes and
prevent the bone loss caused by osteoporosis, without uterine and breast stimulation.”

“This compound could simultaneously address two critical unmet needs of postmenopausal women – control of hot flashes and prevention of osteoporosis,” he added.

Eisai’s senior vice-president of research and development, K Yoshimatsu, concluded: “With Radius’ expertise in endocrinology and osteoporosis, and Eisai’s expertise marketing osteoporosis products in Japan, we see significant complementary strengths between our two companies that promise to make our partnership a significant success.”

Radius says that hot flushes are experienced by over 75 per cent of women going through the menopause, which can interfere with quality of life. Women of an older age are also more likely to break bones than men as bone density decreases with age more rapidly than women.

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