Actelion announces results of Tracleer study

Actelion has announced the results of a clinical study investigating the use of Tracleer (bosentan) in patients with inoperable forms of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH).

The primary objective of the trial – a significant reduction in pulmonary vascular resistance – was met by the study, with patients administered with Tracleer exhibiting improvements in the Borg dyspnoea score measuring breathlessness with exercise, while also showing a decrease in NT-proBNP, a marker of the severity of the disease.

Tracleer is an oral dual endothelin receptor antgonist that is approved for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Isaac Kobrin, head of development at Actelion, said: “For patients with inoperable CTEPH, there are currently no approved therapies available.

“[Tracleer] has shown in this patient population significant improvements in haemodynamic parameters that suggest positive patient benefits, as demonstrated by the significant improvements in breathlessness during exercise.”

He added that the company would engage in discussions with healthcare authorities around the world regarding the results of this study.

Last December, Actelion announced a successful study of Tracleer in patients suffering from mildly symptomatic pulmonary arterial hypertension, with those treated with the compound showing a significant lowering of pulmonary vascular resistance.