To make, develop and commercialise products under AstraZeneca's IP and know-how regarding the use of aromatase inhibitors (AI) in combination with estrogen and progestin to treat endometriosis, Meditrina Pharmaceuticals, Inc has entered into a global licensing agreement with AstraZeneca. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

This agreement expands Meditrina's clinical stage product portfolio which currently includes Femathina (MPI-674), an AI that Meditrina is repurposing for the treatment of several serious women's health conditions, including endometrial thinning prior to endometrial ablations in premenopausal women with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB). Femathina recently completed a phase II clinical trial.

"We are pleased to expand Meditrina's product portfolio with this attractive phase II product opportunity addressing a serious unmet medical need in the area of women's health," said Holly Vene, COO and vice president, business development, Meditrina Pharmaceuticals, Inc. "Providing safer and more effective treatment options for the millions of women who suffer from endometriosis is an objective that fits perfectly with Meditrina's focus and commitment to improving the reproductive health and well-being of women. While Meditrina will pursue development and registration of a product for the US market, it will consider partnering the product in ex-US markets at the appropriate time to ensure global access to this important technology."

Endometriosis is a serious medical condition where endometrial stroma and glands that are normally present in the uterine cavity are found in other parts of the body. Endometriosis lesions can be found anywhere in the pelvic cavity: on the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, on the pelvic sidewall, the uterosacral ligaments, the cul-de-sac, the Pouch of Douglas and in the rectal-vaginal septum.

The most common symptom of endometriosis is pelvic pain. The pain often correlates to the menstrual cycle, but a woman with endometriosis may also experience pain that doesn't correlate to her cycle. For many women, the pain of endometriosis is so severe and debilitating that it impacts their daily lives in significant ways.

It is estimated that seven to 10 per cent of all women are affected by endometriosis, including 70 to 87 per cent of women with chronic pelvic pain and 30 to 40 per cent of all infertile women. Chronic pelvic pain, dysmenorrhoea (painful periods) and dyspareunia (painful intercourse) are common symptoms of women with endometriosis. There are several medical treatment options, including danazol, GnRH agonists and progestins, each of which have limitations associated with patient response, tolerability, side-effect profile and duration of treatment.

"I am pleased that Meditrina will be pursing this indication, leveraging the work done to date by AstraZeneca. Anastrozole in combination with an estrogen and progestin in the area of women's gynaecologic indications represents a valid medical approach and sits well with Meditrina's strategic focus and expertise," commented Dr. John Patterson, executive director, Development, AstraZeneca.