Table 2. Clinical development of novel osteoporosis therapies.
Drug | Target | Function | Class | Phase | Route |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Anti-resorptives | |||||
Denosumab* | RANK ligand | Stem cell factor for osteoclasts | Antibody against RANKL | 3 (completed) | SC |
Odanacatib | Cathepsin K | Osteoclastic enzyme that degrades collagens | Cathepsin K inhibitor | 3 | PO |
Saracatinib | c-src kinase | Enzyme involved in osteoclast activation | c-src inhibitor | 2 | PO |
Anabolic | |||||
MK-5442 | Calcium-sensing receptor | Triggers PTH release if inhibited | Calcilytic agent | 2 | PO |
AMG 785 | Sclerostin | Inhibitor of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway | Antibody against sclerostin | 2 | SC |
BHQ 880 | Dickkopf-1 | Inhibitor of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway | Antibody against dickkopf-1 | 1/2 | SC |
Approved in Europe and the US in May/June, 2010.
Abbreviations: SC, subcutaneous, PO, per os.