A Six-month Phase 2 Study of Oral hPTH(1-34) (EBP05) in Postmenopausal Women With Low Bone Mass

This is a double-blinded randomized study to determine the effects of treatment on biochemical markers of bone formation and bone resorption after 6 months of treatment with EBP05 or placebo. Approximately 160 postmenopausal women with low bone mass (BMD T-score less than or equal to -2.0 in at least one location: Lumbar Spine, Femoral Neck or Total Hip sites) over 50 years of age will be enrolled.

Protocol Version 3.0 described the study design for the initial 103 subjects randomized. The current Version 4.0 describes the study design for approximately 60 additional randomized subjects.

The screening phase to evaluate subject eligibility may start 56 days prior to the treatment phase. BMD screening (DXA scan) will be performed locally on approved vendors standardized machines and interpreted locally. If a subject is found to be suitable, the BMD results will be sent for central reading. The screening DXA scan should be sent to the central reading vendor at least 10 days prior to scheduled potential Day 1 in order to allow timely turnaround of results. The site will receive unblinded results.

A DXA BMD scan performed for medical care unrelated to the study may be used as the screening BMD if obtained no more than 14 days prior the start of screening and performed with the same scanner which was qualified for the study and according to the study specific guidelines and procedures referenced in section 8.1.2. If the subject is eligible for randomization, the DXA scan does not have to be repeated unless there is a delay in the start of Study Medication beyond the 28-day Screening period (see 4.4.3, Extension of Screening window).

Protocol Version 3.0 describes the randomization of the first 103 subjects. In Protocol version 4.0, after completion of all screening procedures eligible subjects will come for the first visit and will be randomized to one of three treatment arms (EBP05 1.5 mg, 2.5 mg or placebo). A randomized allocation schedule will allocate 6 to EBP05 1.5 mg, 36 to 2.5 mg and 18 to placebo.

In Protocol Version 5.0 the starting dose of EBP05 for subjects randomized into the EBP05 2.5 mg treatment group was changed to 1.5 mg (3 tablets). Subjects randomized to Placebo and assigned to the 5 placebo tablet group will also be started on 3 tablets. At the Month 1 visit, the starting dose will be increased to 4 tablets of EPB05 (2.0 mg) or placebo if no continuing drug-related AEs (as assessed by the Investiagor) are present. At Month 2 the dose will be increased to 5 tablets of EPB05 (2.5 mg) or placebo if no continuing drug-related AEs are present. If symptoms associated with administration of Study Medication occur with a dose increase, the dose should be decreased to 3 tablets daily (1.5 mg). Subjects who tolerate the highest dose (5 tablets ,2.5 mg) without drug-related sympoms will continue on that dose for the remainder of the study. Subjects who do not tolerate a dose increase (either 3 tablets to 4 tablets or 4 tablets to 5 tablets) will have their dose reduced to 3 tablets (1.5 mg) daily.

Subjects will receive Study Medication and education on Study Medication intake.

Subjects will visit the clinic once a month for the first three months, and at 6 months for the end of treatment or at any time in-between for an Early Termination Visit, if applicable. There will be telephone calls at Week 2, Month 4 and Month 5 for a general compliance/safety check. The final follow-up visit will also be conducted by phone.

The 6-month DXA scan will be sent for central reading. Unblinded results will not be released to the sites prior to Data Base Lock.

At the End of Treatment visit, concomitant medications will be reviewed, and outcome of AEs recorded, if applicable. The subjects must return all used Study Medication containers. Unused medication should also be returned, collected and accounted for.

Inclusion criteria

• Female subjects above 50 years of age
• Signed Informed Consent Form
• Able to adhere to the visit schedule and protocol requirements
• At least 3 years post menopause (physiological or surgical)
• Women who are less than 55 years old need to have estradiol and LH in the menopausal range
• Low bone mass (BMD T-score lower than or equal to -2.0 in at least one location: Lumbar Spine, Femoral Neck or Total Hip sites)

Exclusion criteria

• Active gastrointestinal inflammatory disorder, gastrointestinal motility disorders, and chronic gastritis, such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome, short bowel syndrome, celiac disease, gastroparesis, etc. that may affect drug bioavailability
• Any conditions or factors that, in the judgment of the Investigator, somehow may impact gastrointestinal absorption, distribution or metabolism of parathyroid hormone analogues, or known to potentiate or predispose to undesired effects
• History of significant gastrointestinal, liver or kidney disease, or surgery (including bariatric surgery) that may affect drug bioavailability
• Acute illness within 14 days of screening
• History of clinically significant cardiovascular, renal, hepatic, chronic respiratory or gastrointestinal disease, neurological or psychiatric disorder, that may result in either increased risk or limit her ability to comply with Study Medication administration and scheduled clinical evaluations, as judged by the investigator
• Blood donation (greater than or equal to 500 mL) within 30 days prior to screening
• History of Paget's disease of bone
• History of prior external beam or implant radiation therapy involving the skeleton
• Active urolithiasis
• Primary hyperparathyroidism
• History of alcohol or substance abuse within 3 years prior to screening
• The subject has used an investigational drug within 30 days before the screening visit
• Any past treatment with Forteo®
• History of oncologic disease except for past medical history of a) basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer resected for cure or b) papillary or follicular thyroid cancer localized to the thyroid and resected for cure with no evidence of local or distant recurrence ≥ 5 years after surgery.
• Allergy to soy or known hypersensitivity to PTH
• Known allergies or sensitivities to components of the Study Medication
• Abnormal calcium, magnesium, phosphate or alkaline phosphatase (outside of lab reference ranges and clinically significant) on screening visit
• Significant renal impairment (eGFR <45mL/min/1.73 m2 as measured by MDRD)
• Any other clinically significant abnormal biochemistry, hematology or urinalysis at screening that are not explained by a disease recorded in the subject's medical history, as judged by the investigator
• Chronic morning medication that cannot be taken at least 1-hr post-Study Medication dose
• Any osteoporosis treatment within the last 2 years. Hormone therapy with oral, transdermal or injectable estradiol, estrogen analog or SERM (e.g. raloxifene) is considered an osteoporosis treatment. Topical estrogen for menopausal vaginal symptoms is permitted.
• Any use of fluoride (dose greater than 1 mg/day) or strontium ranelate
• Any use of intravenous bisphosphonate in the last 10 years.
• Any use of denosumab within the last 3 years
• Any oral bisphosphonate use for more than 6 months (or Risedronate for over 1 year) in the last 5 years.
• Any oral bisphosphonate except risedronate for more than 3 years ending in the last 5 years; or risedronate for more than 5 years ending in the last 5 years.
• Systemic glucocorticoids (current use: ≥ 2.5 mg prednisone or equivalent), or prior use ≥ 5 mg per day for more than 1 week in the last year
• Hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism not treated with thyroxine replacement to achieve normal TSH
• Serious medical conditions currently under evaluation or treatment
• Disorders of bone and mineral metabolism other than osteoporosis, including a known history of Vitamin D deficiency with metabolic significance that has not been treated with Vitamin D for at least 6 months.
• Severe osteoporosis defined as a BMD below -3.5 or previous osteoporotic (low-energy trauma) fracture(s) that in the investigator's opinion preclude the use of placebo.
• The Investigator should exclude subjects at his own judgement, who are at very high risk of osteoporotic fracture(s) and require immediate treatment.