Bayer HealthCare commences new international trial of Eylea

Bayer HealthCare has announced the commencement of a new phase III trial of Eylea, assessing its benefits as a therapy for diabetic macular oedema (DMO).

The study will take place in Russia, China and other Asian nations as part of the ongoing global phase III trial programme for the drug in this indication, with the aim of helping to address the significant unmet need for new therapies for DMO in these regions.

A further Phase III trial is currently underway with Eylea – also known as VEGF Trap-Eye – in the treatment of myopic choroidal neovascularisation.

The drug has been approved by regulators in a number of leading territories – including the US and Europe – as a therapy for age-related macular degeneration.

Dr Kemal Malik, member of the Bayer HealthCare executive committee and head of global development, said: "With this new trial, we look forward to potentially bringing another treatment option to patients with DMO in Asia and Russia."

Earlier this month, the company submitted its new oral investigational drug riociguat for approval as a therapy for hypertension in the US and Europe.