Sumitomo Pharma America unveiled new clinical and real-world data from its urology and oncology programs at the American Urological Association (AUA) 2026 Annual Meeting, held May 15–18 in Washington, DC, spotlighting advances in treatment for overactive bladder and advanced prostate cancer.
The company highlighted a featured subgroup analysis from the Phase 3 COURAGE trial of vibegron, alongside real-world findings from the OPTYX study evaluating relugolix in patients with advanced prostate cancer—reinforcing its push into high-need, complex patient populations.
“Our presence at AUA 2026 underscores our deep-rooted commitment to advancing scientific understanding for patients managing complex urologic conditions,” said Tsutomu Nakagawa, President and Chief Executive Officer of SMPA.
“By focusing on patient populations at particular risk, such as men over 75 with overactive bladder and on pharmacologic treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia, and those navigating the complexities of advanced prostate cancer, we aim to provide clinicians with the robust data they need to make informed, patient-centered treatment decisions.”
A key poster presentation from the COURAGE trial showed vibegron delivered meaningful symptom relief in men aged 75 and older with overactive bladder who were also receiving treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia.
The subgroup analysis found that at week 24, men ≥75 receiving vibegron 75 mg experienced greater reductions in urinary frequency and urgency compared with placebo.
Average daily micturitions fell by –2.3 with vibegron versus –1.5 with placebo, while urgency episodes dropped by –3.6 versus –2.3. Outcomes were broadly consistent with those seen in younger men, and safety profiles were comparable across age groups.
“Older men often face the dual challenge of managing OAB symptoms while on existing therapies for BPH. These findings are encouraging as they demonstrate that vibegron can provide meaningful symptomatic relief in this specific, often harder-to-treat population, with a safety profile comparable to that of younger patients,” said Sender Herschorn, Professor of Surgery/Urology at the University of Toronto and lead author of the poster.
SMPA also presented additional COURAGE data examining vibegron’s impact on sexual function in men, alongside interim results from the OPTYX study.
The OPTYX analysis tracked testosterone suppression and recovery in patients receiving relugolix, both as monotherapy and in combination therapy, within a real-world clinical setting—adding further depth to its oncology evidence base.
