The new treatment from DuoCort Pharma has a more physiological release profile which mimics the natural secretion pattern of cortisol. In this way, treatment outcome and quality of life are improved for patients. The company has also developed methods to optimize the dosage regimen which also contributes to an improvement in therapy over time.  

DuoCort Pharma is also presenting the results of a worldwide survey of 1200 adrenal insufficiency patients. Over 60% report that current therapy results in reduced and compromised quality of life necessitating changes to physical activity, social life, work life and family life. Three quarters are concerned about long term side effects of their replacement therapy such as osteoporosis, obesity, fatigue and cardiovascular morbidity, in that order. These data demonstrate a large need for improvement in glucocorticoid replacement therapy. 

These results confirm several earlier studies showing premature death, compromised quality of life, and increased cardiovascular risk factors in patients treated for adrenal insufficiency. The likely reason for these outcomes is the very outdated replacement treatment that is used today which cannot mimic the normal diurnal cortisol profile.    

Gudmundur Johannsson, professor and senior physician at the Department of Endocrinology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden and Chief Medical Officer of DuoCort Pharma, says "This new more physiological therapy has excellent potential to significantly improve cortisol replacement for over 200 000 patients in Europe and more than 125 000 patients in the US who suffer from adrenal insufficiency and need life-long cortisol replacement therapy for survival. The improvement in cardiovascular risk factors, well-being and quality of life as well as a simplified and more individualised dosage regimen will make this a welcome new treatment option to help patients lead a more normal life." 

Earlier this year a market authorisation application was filed with the European Medicines Agency, which is an important step towards market introduction for the new orphan drug from DuoCort Pharma. 

About Adrenal insufficiency
Patients suffering from adrenal insufficiency (cortisol deficiency) are unable to produce their own cortisol. To survive, they need replacement therapy with hydrocortisone. Adrenal insufficiency is a rare disease that affects patients in their active years.  Because it is a chronic condition, they require this life-saving therapy throughout their lives. Treatment of adrenal insufficiency involves replacing, or substituting, the hormones that the patient´s own adrenal glands are not making. Cortisol is replaced using hydrocortisone, the synthetic form of cortisol. 

There are different types of adrenal insufficiency: primary adrenal insufficiency also called Addison´s disease, secondary adrenal insufficiency and CAH -  congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

For more details on the data please also see:
http://www.abstracts2view.com/endo/view.php?nu=ENDO10L_P3-646
http://www.abstracts2view.com/endo/view.php?nu=ENDO10L_P2-677
http://www.abstracts2view.com/endo/view.php?nu=ENDO10L_P3-644

DuoCort Pharma AB is a project company of the life science incubator PULS. 
For more information visit www.pulsinvest.se.   

Contact information
Gudmundur Johannsson, Chief Medical Officer, tel +46 70-528 08 72

Maria Forss, CEO  tel +46 70-967 00 07

Jacob Kaluski, Chairman of the Board of Directors, tel  +46 70-356 56 65

Please find the press release as pdf here: