New drug reduces risk of death by more than a third
by Pharmacy Life - Published on 28 September 2015
New data being presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) conference in Amsterdam is to show that Roche’s Esbriet (pirfenidone) can improve survival rates in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) by more than a third.
The discovery is a clinical first in the treatment of IPF and is a terrific boost for Esbriet, which was acquired by Roche last year. It’s already added $234m to the company’s top line in the first six months of the year.
The data is to reveal that, after two years’ therapy, Esbriet can reduce the risk of death by 38 per cent. IPF is a rare and life-threatening illness, which is most common in those over 50 years of age. It involves permanent scarring of the lungs and decreases the amount of oxygen the lungs can supply to major organs of the body, until the patient can no longer breathe adequately.
‘Roche is committed to bringing transformative medicines to people with severe respiratory diseases,’ said Sandra Horning, MD, Roche’s Chief Medical Officer and Head of Global Product Development. ‘Our focus at this meeting will be on new data with Esbriet in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and the emerging science on the importance of personalised medicines for severe asthma.’