Bayer submits first-in-class estradiol-based oral contraceptive for approval in the U.S.
Over the past 50 years, many new progestins have been developed for use in oral contraceptives, but the estrogen component remained the same – ethinylestradiol. The new oral contraceptive contains the combination of estradiol valerate - which is immediately metabolized to estradiol, equivalent to the estrogen as produced by a woman’s ovaries - with the progestin dienogest in a unique dosing regimen. This dosing regimen has been designed to deliver hormones at the right levels at the right time during the cycle. If approved by the FDA, the introduction of this new product will offer women a new choice in oral contraception.
An approval for the additional indication - treatment of heavy and/or prolonged menstrual bleeding in the absence of organic pathology in women who desire oral contraception - would represent another important milestone. No other oral contraceptive has yet been approved for treating this condition.
The new oral contraceptive has been available under the tradename Qlaira since May 2009, in several European countries, for the indication oral contraception. Additional European countries will launch Qlaira in autumn 2009 . Bayer is planning to submit the indication heavy and/or prolonged menstrual bleeding in Europe in 2010.
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