Abaloparatide: First Global Approval

Abaloparatide (Tymlos™) is a synthetic peptide analogue of human parathyroid hormone-related protein that was developed by Radius Health as an osteoanabolic agent for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Abaloparatide acts through selective activation of the parathyroid hormone type 1 receptor signalling pathway. In April 2017, subcutaneous abaloparatide received its first global approval, in the USA, for the treatment of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis at high risk for fracture, defined as a history of osteoporotic fracture, multiple risk factors for fracture, or patients who have failed or are intolerant to other available osteoporosis therapy. A Marketing Authorization Application for subcutaneous abaloparatide for the treatment of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis was accepted by the European Medicines Agency and is currently under review. Radius is also developing a transdermal formulation of abaloparatide, with administration via a microneedle patch. This article summarizes the milestones in the development of abaloparatide leading to this first approval for the treatment of women with postmenopausal osteoporosis.