Lilly says it is pleased with arzoxifene trial

Lilly is pleased with the results of its arzoxifene trial for increasing bone mineral density.

The medication is being examined for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

It is also being studied to see how effectively it can reduce the risk of invasive breast cancer in these females with the condition or low bone mass.

The investigation of 320 patients found arzoxifene ? a selective oestrogen receptor modulator ? proved to work better than raloxifene at improving bone strength in the lumbar spine, total hip and femoral neck.

Females in the study who took the former medication were also less likely to suffer from hot flushes.

Dr Adrien Sipos, medical director for Lilly, explained he was pleased at the outcomes, which suggested arzoxifene could be effective in treating osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

“We are committed to research that will help bring innovative prevention and treatment options to patients suffering from this devastating disease, which affects one in three women over 50,” he commented.

This week, the Food and Drug Administration approved the pharmaceutical company’s drug Symbyax for patients with treatment-resistant depression.

It is the first medication of its kind to be authorised by the organisation for the condition.