Bayer HealthCare’s new haemophilia drug shows benefits in trial

Bayer HealthCare has announced positive data from Protect VIII, a new phase III study of its new haemophilia A therapy BAY94-9027.

The trial evaluated the company's investigational site-specific PEGylated recombinant human factor VIII compound for the treatment of patients with haemophilia A and successfully demonstrated the safety and efficacy of the drug.

It was shown that BAY94-9027 was associated with better protection from bleeding with fewer infusions and could be administered effectively every seven days, every five days and twice per week.

The compound was also effective for treatment of acute and breakthrough bleeds, with 91 percent of events resolved with one or two infusions.

Dr Joerg Moeller, member of the Bayer HealthCare executive committee and head of global development, said: "Reducing the significant burden associated with frequent infusions has long been a key goal of the entire haemophilia community."

This comes after the company commenced a phase III study assessing its drug Xarelto for the treatment of symptomatic venous thromboembolism earlier this week.