Astellas’ overactive bladder drug shows efficacy in trials

Astellas has published new clinical data that demonstrates the effectiveness of mirabegron, a potentially promising new treatment for overactive bladder.

Results from a pair of new phase III clinical trials showed that the drug was able to deliver significant improvements in the rate of incontinence episodes and micturations compared to placebo, thus meeting its primary study endpoint.

Mirabegron represents the first of a new class of compounds that activates adrenoceptors in the detrusor muscle of the bladder to facilitate filling and urine storage.

Data from the latest studies reinforces the positive conclusions drawn from previous phase II trials and will help to support planned regulatory filings for the drug taking place this year.

Masafumi Nogimori, president and chief executive officer of Astellas, described mirabegron as an "important addition" to its urology portfolio, complementing the established Vesicare brand.

Earlier this month, the company announced that it will be buying out its partner Maxygen's stake in the joint venture Perseid Therapeutics, which is developing a new rheumatoid arthritis treatment called ASP2408.