A Study of Oral Recombinant Salmon Calcitonin (rsCT) to Prevent Postmenopausal Osteoporosis

This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 study conducted entirely in the US. The subjects were all post-menopausal women whose 10-year risk of major osteoporotic fracture was assessed using the World Health Organization (WHO) Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX®) algorithm within the first 3 visits. Eligible, consenting subjects were then enrolled and began a 2- week single-blind placebo run-in phase to determine tolerability. After the run-in phase, continuing subjects were randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive oral calcitonin or placebo. All subjects took 600 mg calcium citrate and 1000 IU vitamin D once daily with breakfast beginning with the run-in phase. The duration of treatment including the run-in phase was 54 weeks. Bone mineral density (BMD) and C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTx-1) were determined at Baseline and Weeks 28 and 54 after randomization. The % change from baseline in lumbar spine BMD was calculated and compared: active to placebo. The change from baseline in plasma CTx-1 was also calculated and compared likewise. To confirm that there is no effect of meal timing on this product, subjects in both arms were further randomized to take the active or placebo on an empty stomach at bedtime or with the meal at dinnertime.