Effects of eight-month treatment with ONO-5334, a cathepsin K inhibitor, on bone metabolism, strength and microstructure in ovariectomized cynomolgus monkeys

Bone. 2014 Apr 27;65C:1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.bone.2014.04.023.

In microstructural analysis, alendronate suppressed OVX-induced increase in femoral mid-shaft osteonal bone formation rate (BFR) to a level below that recorded in the sham group, whereas ONO-5334 (Catepsin K inhibitor) at 30mg/kg did not suppress periosteal, osteonal and endocortical BFR. This finding supports the significant effect of ONO-5334 on cortical BMD and mechanical strength in the femoral neck. The results of this study suggest that ONO-5334 has good therapeutic potential for the treatment of osteoporosis.