Bayer HealthCare submits new prostate cancer therapy for EU approval

Bayer HealthCare has announced that it has submitted a new prostate cancer treatment for approval by the European Medicines Agency.

The company has filed a marketing authorisation application for radium-223 dichloride for the treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer patients with bone metastases, supported by positive data from the phase III trial Alsympca.

According to results from the study, radium-223 is able to deliver a significant overall survival benefit compared to placebo and has also shown benefits compared to the current standard of care.

Prostate cancer is the most common non-cutaneous malignancy in men worldwide, with bone metastases being the main cause of morbidity and death among patients with castration-resistant forms of the disease.

Dr Kemal Malik, member of the Bayer HealthCare executive committee and head of global development, said: "With its novel mode of action and the proven survival benefit, radium-223 represents an innovation in the treatment of prostate cancer and is an important example of our growing oncology portfolio."

This comes after the company filed for EU approval of VEGF Trap-Eye as a therapy for macular oedema following central retinal vein occlusion earlier this month.