Ipsen prostate cancer therapy meets goals in clinical trial

Ipsen has announced that its new subcutaneous therapy for prostate cancer has met its primary endpoints in a phase III clinical trial.

The study, which assessed a new subcutaneous formulation of Decapeptyl among patients with locally advanced or metastatic prostate cancer, demonstrated the clinically and statistically significant safety and efficacy performance of the drug.

These results were consistent with the known benefits of Decapeptyl when administered intramuscularly, suggesting this administration method could prove to be a viable new option.

Based on these results, Ipsen intends to file for regulatory approval of a subcutaneous variant of the product. Full findings from the study will be presented later this year during a medical congress.

Claude Bertrand, executive vice-president for research and development and chief scientific officer of Ipsen, said: "The availability of an efficacious and safe subcutaneous formulation offers a more convenient and suitable way of administrating triptorelin pamoate to patients on oral anticoagulants or cachectic patients for whom intramuscular administration is not recommended."

This comes after the firm reported clinical trial data last month showing the benefits of using its drug Somatuline in the treatment of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours.