Shire's Vpriv shows significant improvement in Gaucher-related bone disease

UK drugmaker Shire (LSE: SHP) yesterday presented new data that show Vpriv (velaglucerase alfa for injection), the company’s enzyme replacement therapy for type 1 Gaucher disease, significantly improved selected markers of Gaucher-related bone disease in patients. These data were presented at the European Working Group on Gaucher Disease (EWGGD) meeting held in Paris, France, from June 28-30, 2012.

The data presented demonstrate that Vpriv, which generated sales of $256 million in 2011 (a year-on-year rise of 79%), improves Gaucher-related bone disease by a sustained increase in bone mineral density (BMD). In Gaucher disease patients, BMD is generally reduced compared to individuals without Gaucher disease, often resulting in lower Z-scores. Measuring BMD can help to quantify the impact of Gaucher disease on the patient’s bone and can help identify the potential benefits of treatment in improving Gaucher-related bone disease.

“Many type 1 Gaucher disease patients experience bone abnormalities,” said Professor Ari Zimran, professor at the Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Hebrew University and Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel, quoted by Shire. “These study results show that Vpriv is effective in treating selected markers of Gaucher-related bone disease, allowing these patients to achieve an important therapeutic goal quickly,” he added.