Corlux Not Meeting Study Goals for Psychotic Major Depression
Corcept Therapeutics’ lead drug, Corlux is being studied for its ability to reduce the psychotic symptoms of major depression in patients. Corlux is a Glucocorticoid receptor type II (GRII) antagonist and may be better “known” as the controversial mifepristone (or RU-486, otherwise known as the “morning after” pill). The company initiated studies on Corlux based on the rationale that abnormally high cortisol release has been observed with many disorders including psychotic major depression (PMD), and has licensed a patent to use the drug for treating psychotic features of PMD to relieve symptoms more quickly, effectively, and without the same side effects seen with current treatments.
For now it appears that the drug is not living up to its promise where effectiveness is concerned, at least in two out of three late-stage (Phase III) clinical studies sponsored by the drug company. There was no meaningful difference in response between patients who received Corlux and patients who received placebo. The company noted that the two failed studies had an unusually high placebo response.
Source: company press release and company website. You can also read a pharmaceutical industry executive journal article about the company and its drug.
