Psychotic Major Depression - 3rd Phase III Trial of CORLUX(R), Corcept Therapeutics

Corcept Therapeutics
Incorporated today announced that it has initiated its third
Phase III clinical trial designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of
CORLUX(R) (mifepristone) for the treatment of the psychotic features of
psychotic major depression (PMD). CORLUX has been granted Fast Track
designation for this indication. Corcept anticipates having initial results
from this study available by the end of 2006. Results from the company's two
ongoing Phase III trials are expected to be reported during the first half of
2006.


"We are pleased to have begun the third Phase III trial for our lead
development program," said Dr. Joseph K. Belanoff, Corcept's chief executive
officer. "PMD is a disorder that affects approximately three million people
in the United States each year and for which there are no FDA-approved
treatments. We look forward to determining the efficacy and safety of CORLUX.
Through these studies, we are investigating whether CORLUX provides rapid and
sustained relief from the psychotic symptoms of this severe illness."


Clinical Trial Design


The primary endpoint for this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Phase III clinical trial of CORLUX, known as Corcept 09, is the proportion of
patients with at least a 50% improvement in the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale
Positive Symptom Subscale (BPRS PSS) at both Day 7 and Day 28. A secondary
endpoint is a 50% or greater improvement in BPRS PSS at both Day 7 and Day 56,
which is identical to the primary endpoints of the company's other two ongoing
Phase III studies. The BPRS is an 18-item rating instrument used to assess
psychopathology and the PSS includes the four items in the BPRS that
specifically measure psychosis. In all three trials, patients must have at
least mild psychotic symptoms (BPRS PSS greater than or equal to 12) to enter
the studies and will be hospitalized if clinically necessary. BPRS PSS
assessments will also be made at Days 14, 28 and 42.


Corcept 09 is the company's first study to be conducted in Europe. This
study will enroll up to 280 patients at approximately 15 sites in Croatia,
Bulgaria and Serbia with a randomized one-to-one distribution into either a
CORLUX or a placebo arm. Patients will receive either 600 mg of CORLUX or
placebo once daily for a period of seven days. Concurrent with the first day
of dosing, all patients will receive antidepressant therapy through Day 56. No
patient will be allowed to take either antidepressant or antipsychotic
medication for at least one week before beginning the seven day treatment
period. Treatment with antipsychotic medications or electroconvulsive therapy
will not be allowed at any time during the study


Previously completed trials


The Company has completed four studies of CORLUX for the treatment of
psychotic features of PMD. In January 2001, a dose finding clinical trial
evaluating the efficacy, tolerability and dose response of CORLUX showed that
after one week of treatment, approximately two-thirds of the patients in the
two higher dosage groups (600 mg and 1200 mg) experienced clinically
meaningful reductions in psychosis, as measured by the BPRS. Based on these
encouraging results, the Company conducted two clinical trials, the 02 study
and 03 study, which were double-blind, placebo-controlled safety and efficacy
studies in which a total of 429 patients were enrolled.















The 02 study showed that CORLUX was well tolerated and that there were no
discernible problems with drug interactions between CORLUX and commonly
prescribed antipsychotic and antidepressant medications. The 03 study
demonstrated with statistical significance that patients in the CORLUX group
were more likely than patients in the placebo group to achieve a 50% reduction
in the BPRS PSS at Day 7 sustained to Day 28. In a fourth trial, an open label
study of the safety of retreatment in patients with a favorable response to
treatment in the 02 and 03 studies, it was indicated that patients tolerated
their retreatment well. Twenty-eight patients participated in this study.


About Psychotic Major Depression


PMD is a serious psychiatric disorder that affects approximately three
million people annually in the United States. It is more prevalent than either
schizophrenia or manic depressive illness. The disorder is characterized by
severe depression accompanied by delusions, hallucinations or both. People
with PMD are approximately 70 times more likely to commit suicide than the
general population and often require lengthy and expensive hospital stays.
There is no FDA-approved treatment for PMD.


About Corcept Therapeutics Incorporated


Corcept Therapeutics Incorporated is a pharmaceutical company engaged in
the development of drugs for the treatment of severe psychiatric and
neurological diseases. Corcept's lead product candidate, CORLUX, is currently
in Phase III clinical trials for the treatment of the psychotic features of
PMD. The drug is administered orally to PMD patients once per day for seven
days. CORLUX, a potent GR-II antagonist, appears to mitigate the effects of
the elevated and abnormal release patterns of cortisol seen in PMD. For
additional information about the company, please visit corcept.


Forward Looking Statements


Statements made in this news release, other than statements of historical
fact, are forward-looking statements, including, for example, statements
relating to our PMD clinical development program, FDA agreements and the
completion of Phase III trials. Forward-looking statements are subject to a
number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties which might cause actual
results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such
statements. For example, there can be no assurances with respect to the,
efficacy, safety, completion or success of clinical trials, there can be no
assurances with respect to the regulatory process or regulatory approvals,
there can be no assurances with respect to commercial success, and trial
timetables may not be accurate. Risk factors are set forth in the Company's
SEC filings, all of which are available from our website (corcept) or
from the SEC's website ( sec ). We disclaim any intention or
duty to
update any forward-looking statement made in this news release.


Corcept Therapeutics Incorporated

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