Astellas and Medivation launch prostate cancer drug trial

Astellas and Medivation have announced the commencement of a phase III clinical trial of enzalutamide, a promising new therapy for prostate cancer.

The first patient has been enrolled in the global Prosper trial, which will evaluate the safety and efficacy of enzalutamide in patients with non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Patients will be enrolled at sites in the US, Canada, Europe, South America and the Asia Pacific region, with the primary endpoint of the trial being metastasis-free survival.

Data from this study will be used to support future regulatory filings for the therapy. Currently, there are no drugs specifically approved for the treatment of this particular condition in the US.

Dr David Hung, president and chief executive officer of Medivation, said: "The initiation of this trial underscores our commitment to develop enzalutamide as a potential treatment for those touched by this disease."

Earlier this year, Astellas highlighted a recent genetic research breakthrough made by France's Institut Bergonie, which the company helped to support by presenting the team with its Astellas European Foundation Urology Prize Fund Award four years ago.