GSK presents Revolade data at EHA

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has presented data on the long-term efficacy and safety of its investigational compound Revolade (eltrombopag) as a treatmetn for chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) at the congress of the European Haematology Association.

The company announced results from the ongoing Extend study that showed 80 per cent of patients achieving a platlet count of more than 50,000 per microlitre at least once, with 78 per cent of those patients maintaining this level for over 50 per cent of their time in the study

GSK reports that eltrombopag was well-tolerated in the trial with no evidence seen of any loss in efficacy of the compound.

In total, 78 per cent of patients reported at least one adverse affect, with the majority being deemed mild-to-moderate, the most common being headache.

Roberto Stasi, of the Department of Medical Sciences at Regina Apostolorum Hospital, Albano Laziale, Italy.

Dr Michael Arning, group medical director of the Oncology Medicine Development Centre at GSK, said: “We are extremely encouraged by the continued progress in our eltrombopag clinical development programme.”

He added that continuing efforts to assess the benefits of treatment of ITP with the compound in both the long and short term will be part of the company’s work to provide an effective, well tolerated and convenient treatment for the condition.

In March 2008, GSK announced that its eltrombopag products had been granted priority review status by the US Food and Drug Administration.