Takeda reports phase III results for Velcade administration

Takeda has released clinical findings from a phase III trial comparing the subcutaneous and intravenous administration of Velcade (bortezomib).

The open-label study, which involved 222 randomised patients with relapsed multiple myeloma, found the subcutaneous administration of Velcade achieved a level of efficacy consistent with intravenous use.

In addition, the subcutaneous administration of the drug achieved a 63 percent reduction in peripheral neuropathy among patients.

Professor Philippe Moreau of the University Hospital at Nantes in France described this as "the most important finding" of the trial.

Nancy Simonian, chief medical officer at Takeda's oncology company Millennium, added: "Both routes of administration showed consistent results across all efficacy endpoints, including time to progression and overall survival."

The results were presented by Prof Moreau at the 52nd annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology, which took place in Florida between December 4th and 7th.

Velcade is approved in more than 90 countries for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma.