Mereo BioPharma enrolls 270 people in Phase 2b study

UK-based clinical stage biopharmaceutical company Mereo BioPharma announced on Tuesday that it had successfully completed patient enrollment in a Phase 2b dose-confirmation study for its drug BGS-649.

The study was set to be focused on treating hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) in men with a body mass index (BMI) of over 30 and would see BGS-649 administered orally once a week to restore a patient's testosterone level to normal by acting as an aromatase inhibitor to stop its conversion to estradiol.

In total, 270 patients were enrolled into the randomised placebo controlled Phase 2b study to assess three difference dosing regimens with top line data expected to be received during the first quarter of 2018.

Alastair Mackinnon, chief medical officer of Mereo BioPharma Group said, "We are delighted to have completed enrolment in our Phase 2b study for BGS-649, which is another important milestone in the development of the Company. BGS-649 is highly differentiated from current treatment options and those in development, which are based on delivering exogenous testosterone. We believe that BGS-649 has the potential to be an important new safe, effective and more convenient treatment for the men suffering from this debilitating condition."

As of 1000 BST, shares had moved forward just 1.79% to 305.89p.