EMERYVILLE, Calif., Oct. 18 (UPI) -- Bionovo said Wednesday it was cleared to start a U.S. phase 2 trial of MF101, a new treatment for menopausal symptoms.
The company said its new menopausal therapy is an estrogen receptor beta (ER-beta) selective drug that sidesteps the higher risk of breast and uterine cancers linked to current treatments.
The study of the new oral treatment will focus on 184 patients with hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause. The women -- enrolled at six U.S. sites -- will be average aged 40 to 60 and have more than seven moderate-to-severe hot flashes daily.
The phase 2 trial will run four months with results expected in early April 2007, Bionovo said.
"For too long women had to face the choice between quality of life and their long-term health," said Isaac Cohen, president and chief executive officer of Bionovo. "The market for menopausal products is enormous and growing, and we believe there is great opportunity for a product that offers both efficacy and safety."
