Baxter reports successful phase III trial results for new haemophilia drug

Baxter Healthcare has reported successful results from a phase III trial of a new drug it has developed to treat the potentially life-threatening condition haemophilia.

The disease – which involves the blood being unable to clot, meaning it is difficult for sufferers to stop bleeding – is more common in males and is historically known for affecting many members of the royal family.

BAX 817 is designed to resolve cases of acute bleeding, with a recent phase III trial carried out by the pharmaceutical firm revealing the medicine to have a success rate of 92 percent after 12 hours.

Furthermore, 89 percent of the individuals the drug was tested on experienced greater control with regard to stemming the flow of their bleeding 24 hours after the medicine was administered.

Doctors were pleased to see that none of the patients developed inhibitors to BAX 817.

Global head of research and development at Baxter BioScience John Orloff explained: "The development of inhibitors remains one of the most significant challenges in treating haemophilia."