Amgen reports study results for new ‘peptibody’

Amgen has reported data from two phase III studies investigating the use of its new ‘peptibody’ Nplate (romiplostim).

The studies evaluated its use on increasing and sustaining platelet counts in splenectomised (spleen removed) and non-splenectomised patients with chronic Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP).

Over 24 weeks, 63 splenectomised patients and 62 non-splenectomised patients with ITP were enrolled onto the trials where they were randomly assigned 2:1 subcutaneous injects of Nplate or placebo.

Nplate demonstrated a positive efficacy profile by displaying overall platelet response at 88 per cent in non-splenectomised patients compared to 14 per cent in the placebo group.

Meanwhile, platelet response for splenectomised patients given Nplate was 79 per cent compared to no splenectomised patients given placebo.

David Kuter, chief of haematology at Massachusetts General Hospital, indicated that adult ITP was a “serious chronic autoimmune disorder”.

“These study findings are encouraging and provide hope that Nplate may provide physicians with a new therapeutic option for adult patients with chronic ITP,” he added.

Earlier this month, Amgen presented interim safety data from two phase III clinical trials of Vectibix (panitumumab) administered in combination with standard chemotherapy in the first and second line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer.