Last reviewed · How we verify

Degarelix & Relugolix

VA Office of Research and Development · Phase 2 active Small molecule ✓ Verified May 2026

Degarelix & Relugolix is a GnRH receptor antagonist Small molecule drug developed by VA Office of Research and Development. It is currently in Phase 2 development for Prostate cancer, Hormone-sensitive cancers.

Degarelix and Relugolix are GnRH receptor antagonists that inhibit the production of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, leading to a decrease in testosterone levels.

Degarelix and Relugolix are treatments used to study and manage conditions such as Prostate Cancer, Castration-Sensitive Prostate Carcinoma, and Metastatic Prostate Carcinoma, often in combination with other interventions like Leuprolide or Stereotactic body radiation therapy/radiosurgery (SBRT).

Likelihood of approval
13.3% vs 15.3% industry baseline
If approved by FDA: likely 2031–2034
Steps remaining: Phase 3 → NDA/BLA submission
Confidence: Medium
Why this estimate
  • Baseline phase 2 → approval rate +15.3pp
    Industry-wide phase 2 drugs reach approval ~15.3% of the time (BIO/Informa 2023 industry benchmark across all therapeutic areas).
  • Oncology Phase 2 attrition -2.0pp
    Oncology drugs have higher Phase 2-to-Phase 3 attrition than average — many fail to show OS benefit in larger studies.
Predicted approval windows by jurisdiction (conditional on FDA approval)
Regulator Country Likely year Lag vs FDA
FDA US 2031–2034
EMA EU 2032–2035 +0.7 yr
MHRA GB 2032–2035 +0.7 yr
Health Canada CA 2032–2036 +0.9 yr
TGA AU 2032–2036 +1.2 yr
PMDA JP 2032–2036 +1.5 yr
NMPA CN 2033–2037 +2.3 yr
MFDS KR 2032–2036 +1.4 yr
CDSCO IN 2032–2037 +1.8 yr
ANVISA BR 2033–2037 +2.3 yr

Hover any row for the lag rationale. Lag estimates are reduced when the drug has FDA Breakthrough or EMA PRIME designation (sponsors file globally in parallel).

Estimate based on the BIO/Informa industry phase transition rates plus per-drug modifiers for therapeutic area, sponsor type, FDA designations, mechanism, and trial design. Per-jurisdiction lags from Tufts CSDD international approval studies. Not investment, clinical or regulatory advice. Methodology: /methodology#likelihood.

At a glance

Generic nameDegarelix & Relugolix
SponsorVA Office of Research and Development
Drug classGnRH receptor antagonist
TargetGnRH receptor
ModalitySmall molecule
Therapeutic areaOncology
PhasePhase 2

Mechanism of action

Degarelix and Relugolix work by binding to the GnRH receptor, preventing the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, which in turn reduces the production of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone. This decrease in hormone production leads to a reduction in testosterone levels, making them useful in the treatment of hormone-sensitive cancers and other conditions.

Approved indications

Common side effects

Key clinical trials

Primary sources

Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.

SourceUsed for
ClinicalTrials.govTrial enrolment, design, endpoints, results

Competitive intelligence

For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:

Frequently asked questions about Degarelix & Relugolix

What is Degarelix & Relugolix?

Degarelix & Relugolix is a GnRH receptor antagonist drug developed by VA Office of Research and Development, indicated for Prostate cancer, Hormone-sensitive cancers.

How does Degarelix & Relugolix work?

Degarelix and Relugolix are GnRH receptor antagonists that inhibit the production of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, leading to a decrease in testosterone levels.

What is Degarelix & Relugolix used for?

Degarelix & Relugolix is indicated for Prostate cancer, Hormone-sensitive cancers.

Who makes Degarelix & Relugolix?

Degarelix & Relugolix is developed by VA Office of Research and Development (see full VA Office of Research and Development pipeline at /company/va-office-of-research-and-development).

What drug class is Degarelix & Relugolix in?

Degarelix & Relugolix belongs to the GnRH receptor antagonist class. See all GnRH receptor antagonist drugs at /class/gnrh-receptor-antagonist.

What development phase is Degarelix & Relugolix in?

Degarelix & Relugolix is in Phase 2.

What are the side effects of Degarelix & Relugolix?

Common side effects of Degarelix & Relugolix include Injection site reaction, Nausea, Headache.

What does Degarelix & Relugolix target?

Degarelix & Relugolix targets GnRH receptor and is a GnRH receptor antagonist.

Related

Primary sources · FDA · ClinicalTrials.gov · EMA · SEC EDGAR · ChEMBL · Wikidata · full sourcing