GSK announces start of phase III eltrombopag trial

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has announced the start of a global trial investigating the potential benefits of the administration of eltrombopag in patients with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).

The randomised placebo controlled ITP study with eltrombopag will involve the test of 189 patients worldwide. ITP is an autoimmune disorder involving inadequate platelet protection or increased platelet destruction.

Eltrombopag is an orally administered experimental compound that has exhibited the ability to stimulate the growth and differentiation of bone marrow cells that produce platelets, resulting in the thrombopoietin receptor agonist being labelled as a platelet growth factor.

Paolo Paoletti, senior vice president of the oncology medicine development centre at GSK, said: “As we continue development in phase III trials we are very optimistic about eltrombopag in a variety of conditions where thrombocytopenia is a complicating factor.”

He added that outcome of this trial would be a “significant milestone” for the company and highlight its commitment to delivering treatments for conditions with needs currently unmet by the pharmaceutical industry.

In October, GSK announced results of a phase II clinical trial of eltrombopag that showed an increase in platelet counts in 95 per cent of thrombocytopenia patients treated with 75mg of the drug.