The aim of the current study was the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characterization of a single dose administration of four doses of FSH-GEX™ in healthy pituitary-suppressed female volunteers, in comparison with two marketed comparator products.

Healthy pituitary-suppressed female subjects received FSH-GEX™ (25, 75, 150 and 300 IU) in three of four possible ascending doses or one dose of two comparators (Bravelle® and Gonal-f®) and placebo in random order. The study consisted of three separate treatment periods. During each treatment period the subject received one single dose via a subcutaneous injection in the lower abdominal wall.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Female subjects from 18-40 years of age.
2. Subjects must be in good health.
3. Subjects must be willing to use additional non-hormonal contraception
4. Subjects must have used a combined oral contraceptive (COC) for at least one cycle.
5. Vital signs which are within the following ranges at baseline measurements: systolic blood pressure of 90-140 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure of 50-90 mmHg and pulse rate of 40 - 100 bpm.
6. Subjects must have a body weight of minimally 50.0 kg with a BMI between 18.0 and 29.0 kg/m^2 at baseline measurements.
7. Able to provide written informed consent prior to study participation.
8. Able to communicate well with the investigator and to understand and comply with the requirements of the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Smokers of more than 10 cigarettes per day.
2. Average daily intake of more than 3 units of alcohol per day or an average weekly intake of more than 21 units alcohol.
3. Use of any prescription drug or ove the counter medication from screening until the end-of-study visit, without prior approval of the investigator.
4. Any drugs thay may reduce the effectiveness of COC from screening until the end-of-study visit.
5. Any follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) preparation within 90 days prior to screening.
6. Administration of any investigational product or use of any investigational device within 30 days prior to screening.
7. Donation or loss of 500 mL or more blood within 90 days prior to first FSH-GEX™ dosing.
8. History of acute or chronic bronchospastic disease (including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, treated or not treated).
9. History of allergies for drugs, seafood, nuts, eggs, wasp-stings; history of atopic allergy (asthma, urticaria, eczematous dermatitis). A known hypersensitivity to any of the study drugs.
10. Any surgical or medical condition which might alter the absorption, distribution, metabolism, or excretion of drugs or which may jeopardize the subject in case of participation in the study.
11. History or presence of any malignancy.
12. Determined or suspected pregnancy.
13. Breast feeding women.
14. History of (or current) endocrine abnormalities.
15. Contraindication for the use of oral contraceptives.
16. Contraindication for the use of follitropin alfa, FSH or any of the excipients (hypersensitivity to follitropin alfa, FSH or any of the excipients; tumors of the hypothalamus or the pituitary gland; ovarian enlargement or cyst not due to polycystic ovarian disease; gynecological bleeding of unknown origin; ovarian, uterine, or mammary carcinoma).
17. Porphyria or family history of porphyria.
18. History of ovarian surgery.
19. Any ovarian or abdominal abnormality that would interfere with adequate ultrasound investigation.
20. An abnormal cervical smear.
21. History or presence of an immune-compromising disease, or a positive human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) test result in the past or at the screening visit.
22. History of Hepatitis B or C, or a positive Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) or Hepatitis C test result at the screening visit.
23. History of drug or alcohol abuse within the 12 months prior to the screening visit or evidence of such abuse.
24. Planned surgery or hospitalization during the period of the study.
25. Concurrent participation or participation within 30 days before screening in another clinical trial, or participation in more than 3 clinical studies within 12 months, prior to the expected date of enrolment into the study.
26. Injection of one or more doses of any depot contraceptive drug /drug combination or hormonal implants <= 10 months prior to screening.