GlaxoSmithKline reports positive trial data for pazopanib

GlaxoSmithKline has published clinical trial data showing the efficacy of its new drug pazopanib in treating soft tissue sarcomas.

The developmental compound was trialled in a phase III study called Palette, in which 369 patients with metastatic soft tissue sarcomas were treated with either pazopanib or a placebo.

It was found that those using GlaxoSmithKline's drug demonstrated improvements in the average time to first occurrence of tumour progression or death, a benefit that was noted across all three pre-specified patient subgroups.

This trial was conducted in association with the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer, with data to be used to support the regulatory approval of the drug.

Lini Pandite, vice-president and medicine development leader at GlaxoSmithKline, said: "We were motivated to investigate the effects of pazopanib … based on the potential role of angiogenesis in these tumours and the need for new agents that could possibly delay progression of the disease."

Earlier this month, the company reported positive data from a pair of phase III trials of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder drug Revolair, created in partnership with Theravance.