Takeda and Wyeth complete Enbrel patient enrolment

Takeda Pharmaceutical and Wyeth KK have announced the completion of enrolment in the post-marketing surveillance study of Enbrel (etanercept). This trial is a compulsory requirement for the compound after receiving approval of its licence.

Enbrel was launched in March 2005, with rheumatoid arthritis patients administered with the compound registered for participation in the trial to ensure the safety and efficacy of the drug.

The company reports that following the completion of patient enrolment, Enbrel will be made more widely available to doctors, thus adding to the available treatment option for patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

According to the results of the post-marketing surveillance, the response rate to Enbrel was as much as 84.1 per cent, while over half of all patients self-administered the drug via injection, rather than relying on healthcare professionals.

Dr Takao Koike, chairman of the post-marketing surveillance committee, said: “We have observed the safety of this product in the world’s largest surveillance study of [rheumatoid arthritis] therapies.”

He added that in addition to finding “significant” evidence of the efficacy of the compound, including uncovering the means by which the therapeutic effect makes itself apparent.

Last month, Wyeth announced the purchase of Wyeth KK from Takeda, while the firms announced their commitment to continue their co-promotion agreement regarding Enbrel.