Bayer HealthCare commences haemophilia A trial

Bayer HealthCare has commenced a phase III clinical trial assessing its new haemophilia A therapy BAY 94-9027 among paediatric patients.

The Protect VIII Kids study will assess whether the recombinant human factor VIII (rFVIII) therapy BAY 94-9027 can be used prophylactically to prolong the duration of protection from bleeding events for up to one week, while also being used to treat acute bleeds.

Children have begun being enrolled for the new trial, which will involve a total of 50 patients worldwide and will see each subject receiving treatment for 50 exposure days.

BAY 94-9027 has been designed to extend the circulating half-life of rFVIII activity, while preserving its full biologic activity. 

Dr Kemal Malik, MD, member of the Bayer HealthCare executive committee and head of global development, said: "Children with haemophilia and their parents can find the frequent infusions associated with a prophylactic treatment regimen as a significant burden."

Last week, the company announced that its drug Nexavar has been submitted for marketing authorisation in Europe and the US as a treatment for thyroid cancer.