Bayer AG
(
BAYRY
) recently presented results from two European phase III studies
on ATX-101. ATX-101 is being developed for the reduction of
unwanted fat deposits under the chin known as submental fat
(SMF).
Bayer enrolled 723 patients for the multi-center, randomized,
double-blind, placebo-controlled studies in 57 centers across the
UK, France, Germany, Belgium, Spain and Italy.
Results from the studies showed that ATX-101 reduced SMF more
than placebo. ATX-101 demonstrated significant improvement in
clinician-reported measurements of SMF, supported by objective
caliper measurements of SMF thickness, in comparison to
placebo.
Results also revealed that patients were more satisfied with
their chin appearance and their treatment with ATX-101 than
placebo. The candidate was well tolerated in both the
studies.
We note that the studies are part of the ATX-101 clinical
development program which is being conducted jointly by Bayer and
Kythera Biopharmaceuticals Inc.
(
KYTH
) since 2010. As per the 2010 licensing deal between the
companies, Bayer acquired rights to ATX-101 in markets outside
the US and Canada.
Kythera retained all development and marketing rights for all
potential indications of the candidate in the US and Canada.
Kythera is eligible to receive tiered double-digit royalties on
the sales of the drug made by Bayer outside the US and
Canada.
In Nov 2012, Kythera had reported positive interim results
from a multicenter, open-label, long-term study on ATX-101. The
study revealed that the candidate was well tolerated and
demonstrated a similar safety profile to that observed in
previous studies conducted with the candidate.
Bayer carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Other large pharma stocks
such as
Eli Lilly and Company
(
LLY
) and
Sanofi
(
SNY
) also carry a comparable rank.
BAYER A G -ADR (BAYRY): Free Stock Analysis
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KYTHERA BIOPHRM (KYTH): Free Stock Analysis
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