Tracleer plus tadalafil boosts 6MWD

Patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension who received an additional 20mg or 40mg dose of Eli Lilly's tadalafil to first-line therapy with  Actelion's Tracleer (bosentan) showed a trend towards a positive  23-meter improvement during the six-minute walk distance test, according  to an analysis of PHIRST study data presented at the American Thoracic  Society annual meeting, in San Diego.

Swiss firm Actelion noted that these findings are consistent with  previous data investigating the impact of multiple drug therapy on  symptoms, functioning and outcomes.

This PHIRST trial is the first to test the efficacy of an endothelin  receptor antagonist and phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor in  combination. Tracleer is an oral dual ERA, which is currently licensed  for PAH, a life-threatening disorder which severely compromises the  function of the lungs and heart.