Genzyme says osteoarthritis treatment misses trial goals

The pivotal hylastan trial involved nearly 400 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee enrolled at 27 sites in North America and Europe.

Patients were randomized to receive two intra-articular injections of hylastan delivered two weeks apart, a single injection of hylastan, or an injection of a corticosteroid. Patients were evaluated for 26 weeks following treatment. Results showed a statistically significant and clinically meaningful reduction in knee pain compared to baseline for each of the three treatment arms.

However, the difference in pain reduction between patients treated with hylastan and patients treated with a steroid was not significant, and the trial did not meet its primary endpoint of demonstrating that hylastan provides superior pain relief to steroids.

Hylastan is being developed within Genzyme’s program to introduce a viscosupplementation product that can be delivered through a single knee injection.

Genzyme says its goal is to simplify OA pain management, reduce the overall cost of therapy and advance a treatment option that may expand the benefits of viscosupplementation to a broader number of patients.

Genzyme’s development program also includes Synvisc-One, an investigational combined-dose regimen of Synvisc (hylan G-F 20) provided in a single injection, which the company is currently seeking to market in the US and Europe.

Genzyme has submitted an application to the FDA for Synvisc-One, and later this month will apply for a CE Mark to introduce Synvisc-One in Europe. Regulatory action on both applications is expected this year.