ELLA (ulipristal acetate)
Ella is an emergency contraceptive used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse or when a primary birth control method fails. It is intended for occasional use in these specific situations rather than as a routine contraceptive option. Patients receive this medication to help avoid pregnancy following a known or suspected contraceptive failure.
How ELLA Works
This medication works as a progesterone agonist/antagonist that primarily prevents pregnancy by inhibiting or delaying ovulation. When taken shortly before ovulation is expected, it postpones the rupture of the follicle to prevent the release of an egg. It may also cause changes to the lining of the uterus that could interfere with the implantation of a fertilized egg.
Development Insights
Details
- Status
- Prescription
- First Approved
- 2010-08-13
- Patent Cliff
- 2030
- Routes
- ORAL
- Dosage Forms
- TABLET
ELLA Approval History
What ELLA Treats
2 indicationsELLA is approved for 2 conditions since its original approval in 2010. These indications span multiple therapeutic areas including oncology, immunology, and more.
- Pregnancy prevention after unprotected intercourse
- Pregnancy prevention after contraceptive failure
ELLA Competitive Set
ProThree rings of competition based on shared molecular targets and treated indications.
Indication competitors
Same indication, different mechanism — what else might this patient receive?
Filters applied: drops same-active-ingredient (505(b)(2) reformulations), route-mismatch (topical vs systemic), and cross-therapeutic-area matches in same-indication rings.
Drugs Similar to ELLA
FDA-approved drugs for similar conditions. Compare mechanisms and indications to understand treatment alternatives.
Clinical Trial Registry
17 trials| Trial | Sponsor ID | Phase | Status | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCT07434128 | STUDY00028348 NCI-2026-00503, STUDY00028348 | Ph 2 | not yet recruiting | Mammogram Pretreatment With Ulipristal Acetate |
| NCT03537768 | CCN013C | Ph 4 | terminated | Study Comparing Emergency Contraception Effectiveness in Women Who Weight ≥ 80 kg |
| NCT03296098 CCN013B | CCN013B | Ph 2 | withdrawn | Study of the Safety and Efficacy of Ulipristal Acetate (UPA) Used Daily as a Contraceptive |
| NCT06727734 | UW 24-054 | Ph 3 | recruiting | Levonorgestrel-piroxicam Versus Ulipristal Acetate for Emergency Contraception |
| NCT05674513 | OHSU IRB 24952 1R01HD105866-01A1 | Ph 4 | recruiting | Disparities in Emergency Contraceptive Metabolism Dictate Efficacy |
| NCT02408770 BC-APPS1 | UHSM0315 2016BS001 | Ph 2 | completed | Breast Cancer - Anti-Progestin Prevention Study 1 |
| NCT02587000 FRA-IIT-UPA | P141201 2014-004403-75 | Ph 2 | completed | Adenomyosis and Ulipristal Acetate |
| NCT04989400 | 5181 | Ph 4 | completed | Use of Ulipristal Acetate in Induction of Second Trimester Missed Abortion |
| NCT02425878 | 1311-BCN-138-DG | Ph 3 | terminated | Ulipristal Acetate 10 mg and Asisted Reproduction |
| NCT02825719 | UW 15-022 | Ph 4 | terminated | Ulipristal Use in Chinese Population |
| NCT02922127 | AAAQ8498 | Ph 1 | completed | Compare Daily Ulipristal Acetate and Combined Oral Contraceptive Effects on Breast Epithelial Cell Proliferation |
| NCT02577601 results posted | OHSU IRB 11784 | Ph 4 | completed | Impact of Combined Hormonal Contraceptives on UPA |
| NCT03118297 INTERRUPT results posted | 201612002 | Ph 3 | completed | Intervention to End Recurrent Unscheduled Bleeding Trial |
| NCT02634437 | UPA-PK-02 | Ph 1 | completed | Study of Ulipristal Acetate in Female Patients With Moderately or Severely Impaired Renal Function, Compared With Matched Healthy Female Subjects |
| NCT03325868 | Ulipristal | Ph 4 | withdrawn | Effect of Ulipristal Acetate on Bleeding Patterns and Dysmenorrhea in Women With Adenomyosis |
| NCT01953679 CCN013 | CCN013 | Ph 2 | completed | Efficacy Study of Two Continuous Regimens of Oral Daily 5 mg or 10 mg of Ulipristal Acetate (UPA), Versus a Dose of 5.0mg UPA for 24/4 Days |
| NCT01553123 | UL1104 | Ph 3 | withdrawn | Efficacy and Safety Study of Ulipristal Acetate in Females With Anemia Associated With Uterine Leiomyoma |
Active Pipeline
Ongoing clinical trials by development phase
Key Completed Trials
Completed studies with published results, ranked by significance
Trial Timeline
Full development history with FDA approval milestones
Understanding FDA Approval Types
| Count | Type | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| - | ORIG | Original approval - drug first enters market |
| - | SUPPL - Efficacy | New indication (new disease/condition approved) |
| - | SUPPL - Labeling | Label text changes (warnings, dosing updates) |
| - | SUPPL - Manufacturing | Production changes (new facility) |
| - | SUPPL - Chemistry | Formulation changes (new dosage strength) |
Green lines in the timeline show ORIG and Efficacy approvals - the clinically meaningful milestones.
ELLA FDA Label Details
Indications & Usage
FDA Label (PDF)ELLA is indicated for the treatment of Pregnancy prevention after unprotected intercourse; Pregnancy prevention after contraceptive failure.
ELLA Patents & Exclusivity
Patents (8 active)
Pro Intelligence Preview
Deep insights for ELLA
Revenue Insights
- • Quarterly revenue tracking
- • Historical trend analysis
Patent Timeline
- • Cliff: 2030
- • 8 active patents
Trial Analysis
- • 17 total trials
- • Stage: Declining
Competitive Landscape
- • 1 similar drugs
- • Same target/indication analysis
Full approval history • All patents • Revenue trends • Competitor analysis
Data Sources
Data sourced from official FDA and NIH databases. Click links to verify on original sources.
How We Calculate These Metrics
Trial Activity Stage
Measures the current development activity pattern based on trial phases, status, and trends. Important: This measures R&D activity, not commercial lifecycle.
Trial statuses: "Active" means recruiting or ongoing. "Completed" means reached planned endpoint. "Terminated" means stopped early—often due to safety, efficacy, or business reasons.
- Growth: High proportion of early-phase trials (Phase 1/2), active development
- Expansion: Significant Phase 3 activity, approaching or pursuing approvals
- Mature: Substantial Phase 4 post-marketing studies
- Stable: Mixed phase distribution, steady development
- Declining: Low active trial ratio, reduced R&D investment