Bayer HealthCare reports positive data from Alpharadin trial

Bayer HealthCare has announced positive results from a new clinical trial of its investigational prostate cancer drug Alpharadin.

The company has trialled the developmental compound against placebo in a phase III trial called Alsympca, which involved 922 patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer and symptomatic bone metastases.

It was found that the drug was able to meet its primary efficacy endpoint of improved overall survival rates, while all secondary goals – including a delay in time to first skeletal-related events – were accomplished.

Based on this data, regulatory submissions for the drug are to be made in the US and Europe in mid-2012.

Dr Chris Parker of the Royal Marsden Hospital in London said: "This data is significant because it demonstrates that Alpharadin can prolong life in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer and bone metastases."

This study data was presented at the 2011 European Multidisciplinary Cancer Congress, where the company also published data on compounds such as regorafenib.