Novartis cancer drug imatinib shows efficacy in PAH

Swiss drug major Novartis (NOVN: VX) yesterday announced new data today at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) congress on the pivotal Phase III IMPRES clinical trial showing that the investigational therapy QTI571 (imatinib) significantly improved exercise capacity in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) compared with placebo.

PAH is a debilitating disease of the heart and lungs that is characterized by a marked and sustained elevation in pulmonary artery pressure. The disease is chronic and rapidly progressive, and can result in right ventricular heart failure and death. The current PAH market leader is Swiss biotech Actelion’s (SIX: ATLN) Tracleer (bosentan), which last year generated sales of 1.64 billion Swiss francs ($1.81 billion). Imatinib is already marketed by Novartis as a treatment for various cancers under the brand names Glivec and Gleevec and in 2010 generated sales of $4.27 billion.

Study meets primary and secondary endpoints