Astellas Pharma has introduced Gonax (Degarelix Acetate), a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-receptor blocker, for subcutaneous injection to treat prostate cancer in Japan.
Gonax is designed to inhibit the binding of GnRH, a hormone produced by the hypothalamus in the brain, to the specific receptors thereby restraining the testosterone production and finally controlling the prostate cancer growth.
The data obtained from Phase-III trial conducted abroad besides Phase I and Phase II studies conducted in Japan has formed the basis for filing a market authorization application.
The studies demonstrated that Gonax maintained the blood testosterone levels below castration from third day till the whole treatment period eliminating the testosterone flow.
Gonax also demonstrated a satisfactory safety profile in the studies.
