The effectiveness and safety of OSPHENA on moderate to severe symptoms of vulvar and vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women were examined in four placebo-controlled clinical trials (three 12-week efficacy trials and one 52-week long-term safety trial). In the four placebo-controlled trials, a total of 1100 women received placebo and 1416 women received 60 mg OSPHENA.

Trial 1 was a 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial that enrolled 826 generally healthy postmenopausal women between 41 to 81 years of age (mean 59 years of age) who at baseline had ≤5 percent superficial cells on a vaginal smear, a vaginal pH >5.0, and who identified at least one moderate to severe vaginal symptom that was considered the most bothersome to her (vaginal dryness, pain during intercourse [dyspareunia], or vaginal irritation/itching). Treatment groups included 30 mg ospemifene (n=282), 60 mg ospemifene (n=276), and placebo (n=268). All women were assessed for improvement in the mean change from baseline to Week 12 for the co-primary efficacy variables of: most bothersome symptom (MBS) of vulvar and vaginal atrophy (defined as the individual moderate to severe symptom that was identified by the woman as most bothersome at baseline), percentage of vaginal superficial and vaginal parabasal cells on a vaginal smear, and vaginal pH. Following completion of 12-weeks, women with an intact uterus were allowed to enroll in a 40-week double-blind extension study, and women without an intact uterus were allowed to enroll in a 52-week open-label extension study.

Trial 2 was a 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial that enrolled 919 generally healthy postmenopausal women between 41 to 79 years of age (mean 59 years of age) who at baseline had ≤5 percent superficial cells on a vaginal smear, a vaginal pH >5.0, and who identified either moderate to severe vaginal dryness (dryness cohort) or moderate to severe dyspareunia (dyspareunia cohort) as most bothersome to her at baseline. Treatment groups included 60 mg ospemifene (n=463) and placebo (n=456). Primary endpoints and study conduct were similar to those in Trial 1.

Trial 3 was a 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial that enrolled 631 generally healthy postmenopausal women between 40 and 80 years of age (mean 60 years of age) who at baseline had ≤5 percent superficial cells on a vaginal smear, a vaginal pH >5.0, and had moderate to severe vaginal dryness as the self-reported most bothersome symptom of VVA. Treatment groups included 60 mg ospemifene (n=316) and placebo (n=315). Primary endpoints and study conduct were similar to those in Trials 1 and 2. In Trial 3, 52 healthy postmenopausal women in the 60 mg ospemifene treatment group and 53 in placebo received treatment for up to 52-weeks. 

Trial 4 was a 52-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, long-term safety trial that enrolled 426 generally healthy postmenopausal women between 49 to 79 years of age (mean 62 years of age) with an intact uterus. Treatment groups included 60 mg ospemifene (n=363) and placebo (n=63).

Effects on Dyspareunia

In Trials 1 and 2, the modified intent-to-treat population of women treated with ospemifene when compared to placebo demonstrated a statistically significant improvement (least square mean change from baseline to Week 12) in the moderate to severe most bothersome symptom of dyspareunia (Trial 1, p=0.0012 and Trial 2, p<0.0001). See Table 3. A statistically significant increase in the proportion of superficial cells and a corresponding statistically significant decrease in the proportion of parabasal cells on a vaginal smear were also demonstrated (p<0.0001 for both trials). The mean reduction in vaginal pH between baseline and Week 12 was also statistically significant (p<0.0001 for both trials).

Effects on Vaginal Dryness

All three trials evaluated the most bothersome symptom of vaginal dryness. Trial 2 did not demonstrate a statistically significant improvement in the moderate to severe most bothersome symptom of vaginal dryness. In Trials 1 and 3, the modified intent-to-treat population of women treated with ospemifene when compared to placebo demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in the moderate to severe most bothersome symptom of vaginal dryness (Trial 1, p=0.0136 and Trial 3, p<0.0001). See Table 4. A statistically significant increase in the proportion of superficial cells and a corresponding statistically significant decrease in the proportion of parabasal cells on a vaginal smear were also demonstrated (p<0.0001 for both trials). The mean reduction in vaginal pH between baseline and Week 12 was also statistically significant (p<0.0001 for both trials).