Astellas and Aveo report positive kidney cancer drug trial data

Astellas and partner Aveo Oncology have announced new phase III clinical trial data that demonstrates the benefits offered by tivozanib, their new therapy for advanced renal cell carcinoma.

Results from the Tivo-1 trial showed that the drug was able to deliver a statistically significant improvement in progression-free survival rates when compared to an alternative treatment, while it also provided a median overall survival rate of 28.8 months.

This suggests that the new compound could represent a potentially beneficial new first-line option for the treatment of this aggressive form of kidney cancer.

Tivozanib has already been accepted for regulatory review by the US Food and Drug Administration, a process that is expected to be concluded by the end of July 2013.

Dr Stephen Eck, vice-president of medical oncology at Astellas Pharma Global Development, said: "We are excited to be working with Aveo in our efforts to bring tivozanib to patients who are in need of new therapeutic options."

Earlier this month, Astellas announced that it will be reorganising its global management structure, with the aim of achieving efficiency gains and ultimately benefiting patients.