Bayer announces positive interim phase II data on VEGF Trap-Eye

Bayer HealthCare and Regeneron have announced positive interim data from a phase II clinical trial of the companies’ VEGF Trap-Eye in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD).

According to the analysis, the treatment met its primary endpoint by reducing retinal thickness after 12 weeks, with a vital secondary endpoint of the study – an improvement from baseline in visual acuity – also achieved.

The companies are involved in a partnership relating to the development of the VEGF Trap-Eye for the treatment of eye conditions including diabetic eye diseases and wet AMD.

Following the publication of these interim results, the companies have announced the intention to initiate a phase III clinical study of the treatment during the second half of the year.

Kemal Malik, member of the BayerHealthCare executive committee responsible for global development, said: “We are very pleased with the outcome of this interim analysis and the findings support the potential of VEGF Trap-Eye to improve the lives of patients suffering from wet AMD, which accounts for 90 per cent of AMD related blindness.”

He added that these positive results had encouraged the company to continue its development and investigation of VEGF Trap-Eye as a treatment for other ocular conditions.

Earlier this week, Bayer announced the improvement in the profit outlook for its Betaseron franchise as a result of its acquisition of a US biologics manufacturing facility from Novartis, the ending of royalty payments from October 2008 and the granting of licensing rights for interferon beta-1b to the firm from 2009.