LONDON (Alliance News) - Speciality pharmaceutical company Diurnal Group PLC on Monday said the first patient has been dosed in the Phase III clinical trial in Europe for Chronocort, its potential treatment for adults with congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
Diurnal said the Phase III trial will study approximately 110 patients, who are currently being treated with steroids for congenital adrenal hyperplasia, over a six-month period. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia is caused by a block in cortisol production, an adrenal steroid hormone, which leads to the overproduction of androgens. Chronocort aims to control a patient's androgens.
Dirunal said the trial is scheduled to complete by the first quarter of 2018, adding this implies a potential market authorisation in Europe could be forthcoming in the fourth quarter of 2018.
"The majority of adult patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia are not being treated satisfactorily with currently available steroids, which are not able to provide a release profile in line with the body's natural cortisol circadian rhythm. We believe Chronocort is able to address this need and therefore improve disease control for adults with congenital adrenal hyperplasia," said Martin Whitaker, chief executive of Diurnal.
Shares in Diurnal were up 1.7% at 149.00 pence on Monday morning.
By Hannah Boland; hannahboland@alliancenews.com; @Hannaheboland
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