Gesynta Pharma doses first patient in endometriosis phase 2 trial
pharmafile | April 14, 2026 | News story | Research and Development |Â Â Gesynta Pharma, endometriosisÂ
Gesynta Pharma has dosed the first patient in its phase 2 clinical proof-of-concept trial of vipoglanstat.
The trial, NOVA, is randomised, double-blind and placebo-controlled, and will evaluate the efficacy and safety of two different doses of vipoglanstat.
NOVA will enrol around 190 women aged 18 to 45 across the UK, Italy, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and Hungary. Participants will be given either vipoglanstat or placebo for approximately four menstrual cycles.
Vipoglanstat targets mPGES-1, an enzyme that produces the proinflammatory mediator prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in endometriotic lesions, with a preclinical proof-of-concept study showing that the treatment reduced pain-related behaviours and endometriotic lesion load.
Christian Becker, Professor of Reproductive Sciences, Co-Director of the Oxford Endometriosis CaRe Centre, and International Coordinating Investigator for the NOVA trial, said: “This is an important step toward expanding therapeutic options for women living with endometriosis.
“Despite existing treatments, many patients continue to experience persistent pain and impaired daily functioning, underscoring the need for new approaches.”
The primary objective of the NOVA study is to evaluate the efficacy of vipoglanstat on endometriosis-related pain during non-menstrual days. Secondary objectives include evaluating the effect of the treatment on period pain, pain during sexual intercourse, use of opioid rescue medication and response to a quality-of-life assessment scale.
In addition, endometriotic lesions will be evaluated as an exploratory endpoint using MRI assessments.
Patric Stenberg, CEO of Gesynta Pharma, said: “Dosing the first patient in the NOVA trial signifies a major milestone in developing vipoglanstat, aiming at providing a game-changer in the treatment of endometriosis.
“With a solid preclinical basis and positive clinical data on safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics, this trial aims to provide robust, controlled data on pain relief and quality of life for women with moderate to severe disease.”
Top-line results from the study are expected in 2027.
Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that affects 10% of women who are of reproductive age. It involves endometrium-like tissue growing outside the uterus causing inflammation, fibrosis and the formation of endometriotic lesions and adhesions.
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