Bayer Lynkuet gets USFDA nod for treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms due to menopause
Berlin: Bayer has received approval for elinzanetant from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as the dual neurokinin (NK) targeted therapy, neurokinin 1 (NK1) and neurokinin 3 (NK3) receptor antagonist, under the brand name Lynkuet for the treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms (VMS, also known as hot flashes) due to menopause.
Inhibition of Substance P and Neurokinin B through antagonism of NK1 and NK3 receptor signaling on kisspeptin/neurokinin B/dynorphin (KNDy) neurons with elinzanetant can modulate neuronal activity in the thermoregulation associated with hot flashes. The FDA approval is supported by data from three Phase III clinical studies (OASIS 1, OASIS 2 and OASIS 3) that evaluated the efficacy and safety of elinzanetant for the treatment of moderate to severe VMS due to menopause.
“For more than a century, Bayer has been dedicated to pioneering advances in women’s health, and this FDA approval represents a bold step forward – our first hormone-free treatment for alleviating vasomotor symptoms of menopause,” said Christine Roth, Executive Vice President, Global Product Strategy and Commercialization and Member of the Pharmaceuticals Leadership Team at Bayer. “There is a need for more individualized approaches to menopause care, and Lynkuet addresses a significant gap in treatment options. The approval in the U.S. reflects our unwavering commitment to delivering science-driven solutions that meet women’s evolving healthcare needs and empower them to take charge of their health at every stage of life.”
The efficacy of elinzanetant for the treatment of moderate to severe VMS due to menopause was demonstrated in the first 12 weeks of two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trials, OASIS 1 and OASIS 2, in 796 menopausal women. The co-primary efficacy endpoints in both trials were the mean change in frequency and severity of moderate to severe VMS from baselines to weeks 4 and 12, including day and night hot flashes. The safety of elinzanetant was evaluated in three randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trials (OASIS 1, OASIS 2 and OASIS 3) in 1420 women. In OASIS 3, 627 women received elinzanetant or placebo for up to 52 weeks to evaluate long-term safety.
“These three studies investigated the safety and efficacy of elinzanetant for the treatment of moderate to severe hot flashes due to menopause,” said JoAnn Pinkerton, M.D., Professor and Director of Midlife Health at UVA Health and Lead Investigator on the OASIS 2 trial. “Hot flashes, particularly when severe, can have an impact on women’s daily lives and this approval provides healthcare providers with a new treatment option that can be used first-line for moderate to severe hot flashes due to menopause.”
Hot flashes are a common symptom of menopause that may impact women differently. Hot flashes can be disruptive and are a common reason for which women in menopause seek treatment.
“It’s important that women know they have choices for treating moderate to severe hot flashes due to menopause, and today’s approval further expands a woman’s options for treating these symptoms,” said Claire Gill, President and Founder of the National Menopause Foundation.
Elinzanetant is expected to be available in the U.S. beginning in November 2025.
