[Minodronic acid hydrate as a new therapeutic agent for osteoporosis].

Minodronic acid hydrate is one of the new-generation bisphosphonates containing nitrogen. The drug has an inhibitory effect on bone resorption by suppressing the osteoclastic function. Minodronic acid hydrate is being developed as a therapeutic drug of osteoporosis. In non-clinical study, the inhibitory effect of minodronic acid hydrate on the decrease in the bone mineral density and on the reduction in the bone intensity in ovariectomized rat osteoporosis models. The results of the clinical studies conducted so far showed that minodronic acid hydrate administered once daily for 36 weeks increases the bone mineral density of lumbar spine (L2-4BMD) significantly compared to the placebo group. It was speculated that minodronic acid hydrate has an increasing effect on the bone mineral density that is at least equivalent to that of alendronate and risedronate. It was also expected that the incidence of digestive diseases with minodronic acid hydrate is lower than that with the existing bisphosphonates. At the moment, the Phase III study is being conducted. We expect that minodronic acid hydrate is used for a number of patients with osteoporosis as a potent and safe domestic bisphosphonate in the near future.