Relaxin May Treat Infertility - Brief Article

Applied Genetics News,  Jan, 2000  

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Connetics Corp. (3400 W. Bayshore Rd., Palo Alto, CA 94303; Tel: 650/843-2800, Fax: 850/843-2899; Website: connetics.com) has initiated two clinical trials to evaluate the role of recombinant human relaxin in improving embryo implantation to increase the likelihood of successful pregnancy. Preclinical studies have shown that relaxin, a protein normally found in women throughout pregnancy, stimulates angiogenesis in the endometrium (lining of the uterus), potentially making the womb more receptive to a fertilized egg.

Another apparent function of relaxin during pregnancy involves changing connective tissue during pregnancy to loosen joints and tendons to accommodate an increase in abdomen size.

The Phase I/II trials will evaluate two populations of nonpregnant women: egg donors and infertile women taking clomiphene citrate, a common, first-line infertility treatment used to stimulate ovulation. The multi-center, double- blind, placebo-controlled trials are currently enrolling patients who will receive relaxin for periods of 6 to 14 days. Results of these trials are expected by late 2000.

"Our relaxin studies are designed to improve the rate of implantation," states Thomas G. Wiggans, president and CEO of Connetics. "We aim to demonstrate that improved implantation rates will result in improved success rates which could, in turn, reduce the risk of multiple births common with current assisted reproductive techniques."

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