Positive Results for Bayer's Aflibercept in Late-Stage Trial

Investing.com — Bayer (OTC:BAYRY) reported positive results from a late-stage trial of its eye treatment aflibercept, administered at high doses. The drug showed improved vision gains for individuals suffering from certain retinal diseases, leading to a rise in Bayer's shares.

Patients involved in the trial received 8 milligrams of the drug every eight weeks and experienced visual acuity gains after 36 weeks. The treatment led to a rapid and substantial reduction of fluid in the retina in patients with macular edema following retinal vein occlusion, Bayer stated.

Richard Gale, clinical director at York Teaching Hospital, U.K., who was part of the trial, said the high-dose drug has the potential to become a new standard of care in the treatment of exudative retinal diseases.

This is a significant shift from the current standard of care, which involves a 2 milligram-dosage of the same drug every 4 weeks, according to Bayer. The change would mean less frequent injections for patients while maintaining comparable efficacy and safety, stated Christian Rommel, Bayer’s Head of Research and Development.

Bayer noted that the drug candidate was well tolerated by patients, with a safety profile consistent with previous clinical trials.

Aflibercept, at a dosage of 8 milligrams, is being jointly developed with U.S. pharmaceutical giant Regeneron (NASDAQ:REGN) and is known as Eylea HD. The drug is approved in over 50 countries for the treatment of eye diseases such as neovascular age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema.

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