Baxalta reports positive von Willebrand disease drug trial data

Baxalta has announced phase III clinical trial data demonstrating the safety and efficacy of its new treatment for von Willebrand disease.

Pivotal phase III data for the BAX 111 compound published in the medical journal Blood showed that 100 percent of the patients treated with the drug achieved success in the management of bleeding episodes.

The highly purified recombinant von Willebrand factor candidate is currently under review by the US Food and Drug Administration. If approved, BAX 111 would become the first recombinant replacement treatment for managing bleeding episodes for von Willebrand patients.

Currently, there is no cure for von Willebrand disease, which is why BAX 111 has received orphan drug designation in the US and Europe.

Dr John Orloff, head of research and development and chief scientific officer at Baxalta, said: "BAX 111 has the potential to transform the standard of care, especially for patients with severe von Willebrand disease, by offering an effective individualized treatment option."

This comes after the firm reported positive clinical trial data for its investigational haemophilia A therapy BAX 855 last month.