Bayer HealthCare begins trial of riociguat for pulmonary arterial hypertension

Bayer HealthCare has announced the commencement of a phase III trial assessing riociguat as a treatment for children suffering from pulmonary arterial hypertension.

The PATENT-CHILD study will evaluate the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of a body-weight adjusted riociguat regimen in children aged between six and 18 years of age who have been diagnosed with the life-threatening disorder of the lungs.

Riociguat has been approved since 2013 for the treatment of adults with the condition, but there are currently only two therapies available for treating the disease in children.

The development and commercialisation of riociguat is part of a worldwide strategic collaboration with Merck Sharp and Dohme in the field of soluble guanylate cyclase modulation.

Dr Joerg Moeller, member of the Bayer HealthCare executive committee and head of global development, said: "In clinical studies riociguat has proven to be effective and well tolerated for adults, and now with our new study we will investigate its safety profile in children suffering from pulmonary hypertension."

The Bayer HealthCare business will soon be dissolved and reorganised as part of a wider restructuring of Bayer's life science businesses.