Bayer's Alpharadin improves survival in prostate cancer; VEGF Trap-Eye filed in EU

7 June 2011

There was good news for German drug major Bayer (BAY: DE), which yesterday presented late-stage trial data the on prostate cancer drug Alpharadin (radium-233 chloride), saying the study was stopped early due to impressive overall survival data.

The drug is the subject of an $800 million licensing deal signed in 2009 with Norway’s Algeta, which saw its shares leap 37% to 54 Norwegian kroner yesterday. Bayer edged 1.5% higher to 56.25 euros.

The USA-based Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals unit announced that the Phase III ALSYMPCA (ALpharadin in SYMptomatic Prostate CAncer) trial evaluating Bayer's investigational compound radium-223 chloride, in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and bone metastases met its primary endpoint by significantly improving overall survival. Based on a recommendation from the Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC), following a pre-planned interim analysis, the study will be stopped and patients on the placebo arm will be offered treatment with radium-223 chloride.

This article is accessible to registered users, to continue reading please register for free. A free trial will give you access to exclusive features, interviews, round-ups and commentary from the sharpest minds in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology space for a week. If you are already a registered user please login. If your trial has come to an end, you can subscribe here.

Try before you buy

Free

7 day trial access

Take a Free Trial

All the news that moves the needle in pharma and biotech
Exclusive features, podcasts, interviews, data analyses and commentary from our global network of life sciences reporters.
Receive The Pharma Letter daily news bulletin, free forever.

Become a subscriber

£820

Or £77 per month

Subscribe Now

Unfettered access to industry-leading news, commentary and analysis in pharma and biotech.
Updates from clinical trials, conferences, M&A, licensing, financing, regulation, patents & legal, executive appointments, commercial strategy and financial results.
Daily roundup of key events in pharma and biotech.
Monthly in-depth briefings on Boardroom appointments and M&A news.
Choose from a cost-effective annual package or a flexible monthly subscription

The Pharma Letter is an extremely useful and valuable Life Sciences service that brings together a daily update on performance people and products. It’s part of the key information for keeping me informed

Chairman, Sanofi Aventis UK