Novartis drug is better for Paget’s

Novartis has said that Aclasta, the drug currently being studied as a treatment for osteoporosis, is more effective than risedronate in cresting a sustained therapeutic response.

As a treatment for sufferers of Paget’s disease, the second most common metabolic bone disease after osteoporosis, the drug was more effective over two years than risedronate after having been taken once daily for at least two months.

“This data clearly demonstrates that in Paget’s disease a single dose of Aclasta can make a difference to both patients and physicians by offering a rapidly acting medication with a greater and longer-lasting response than the standard therapies,” said Dr Ian Reid, one of the investigators in the University of Auckland research that provided Novartis’ results.

During the extended 26-month study period, 57 patients receiving risedronate experienced an end to their therapeutic response while just three taking Aclasta experienced the same problem.

Aclasta, which was launched in 2005, is currently on the market in 41 countries worldwide. Novartis expects further markets to be explored this year.

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