More news briefs from ASH meeting

In ongoing news from the American Society of Hematology (ASH) meeting taking place in San Diego, Swiss drug major Novartis (NOVN: VX) reported results from the pivotal THALASSA study showing that Exjade (deferasirox) can significantly reduce liver iron concentrations in patients with non-transfusion-dependent thalassemia compared to placebo (p<0.001). Regulatory submissions based on these findings are planned by end of 2011.

US pharma giant Merck & Co (NYSE: MRK) reported positive results from the Phase III VANTAGE 088 study (n=613) of Zolinza (vorinostat) + bortezomib in patients with progressive multiple myeloma showing a 23% reduction in the risk of progression compared to standard therapy of bortezomib (p=0.01). The observed median PFS was 7.6 months in the Zolinza + bortezomib arm and 6.8 months in the bortezomib cohort. Also presented were full results from the Phase IIb VANTAGE 095 study in salvage multiple myeloma patients.

Also at the ASH meeting, Amgen (Nasdaq: AMGN), the leading independent biotech company, presented data from several key Nplate (romiplostim) studies. Key highlights include final results from the Phase III '209 study demonstrating that Nplate induced a rapid platelet response in adult primary immune thrombocytopenia patients with low platelet counts or bleeding symptoms and maintained a consistent safety profile. The most common side effects included headache, arthralgia and fatigue.