Novartis publishes trial data for PAH drug

Novartis has highlighted data from a new clinical trial, which evaluated the potential benefits of its pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) treatment imatinib.

According to results published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Novartis’ treatment was shown to improve exercise capacity and pulmonary haemodynamics among patients who had proven unresponsive to other treatments.

Although the drug was not able to meet its primary endpoint of significantly improving six-minute walking distances when compared to placebo, post-hoc analysis nevertheless supported the treatment’s benefits for severe PAH sufferers.

Dr Trevor Mundel, global head of development at Novartis, said: “This latest data reinforce the Novartis commitment to improving patients’ respiratory health, especially for patients with serious diseases such as PAH.”

Novartis will now continue to evaluate the drug in a new phase III trial, for which it is currently enrolling patients.

Last week, the company published new clinical trial data for its drug Afinitor, demonstrating its efficacy among patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours.