By Connor Hart

Corcept Therapeutics submitted a new drug application to the Food and Drug Administration for its treatment of hypercortisolism, or Cushing's syndrome, a hormonal disorder that occurs when the body produces too much cortisol.

The Redwood City, Calif., company said Monday its application is based on positive results observed in patients receiving the treatment, relacorilant, in both recent and continuing trials.

"Patients in these studies who received relacorilant experienced improvements in a wide array of hypercortisolism's signs and symptoms, with an acceptable safety burden," the company said.

Chief Executive Joseph Belanoff said the drug's combination of efficacy and safety gives it the potential to become the standard of care for the medical treatment of patients with hypercortisolism.

Cortisol, which is sometimes called the stress hormone, helps to maintain blood pressure, regulate blood sugar, reduce inflammation and convert food into energy. In excessive amounts cortisol can cause health problems including high blood pressure, obesity, elevated blood sugar, severe fatigue and behavior disturbances.

Write to Connor Hart at connor.hart@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

December 30, 2024 17:48 ET (22:48 GMT)

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