Bayer To Present Data on CTEPH, PAH Treatment Advancements at Upcoming Conference

Bayer HealthCare will deliver six presentations at the ongoing American Thoracic Society (ATS) International Conference in Denver, Colorado. Five posters and one oral presentation will describe data concerning treatment of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH).

“At the American Thoracic Society meeting, we will share Bayer’s recent, extensive research in the field of pulmonary arterial hypertension and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, including new data from ongoing study of Adempas® (riociguat),” said Dario Mirski, MD, Vice President and Head of US Medical Affairs at Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, in a press release from Bayer.

“Early Access Study (EAS) of Riociguat in Patients with Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTEPH): Baseline Characteristics and Comparison with Registry Data,” will be presented by Dr. Lang on May 19th. The study looked at 168 patients with inoperable CTEPH and 70 patients with persistent PAH after undergoing pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA). These patients were failing on their current treatment plans, and the CTEPH patients were no longer eligible for another CTEPH trial. Their baseline characteristics were compared to those of patients in published CTEPH registries, and it was found that they were similar, indicating that this early access study may be representative of other patients who may be treated in the future.

Some of the results of this early access study will be presented by Dr. McLaughlin in “Early Access Study (EAS) of riociguat in patients with Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTEPH): Exploratory Interim Safety Assessment.” It was found that the early access study produced similar safety and efficacy profiles as those of the pivotal Phase III CHEST-1 study of riociguat in patients with CTEPH. Six-minute walk distance increased in the treated patients, and there were no safety issues.

In consideration of CHEST-2, Dr. Minai will be presenting a poster, “Health Outcome Assessment in Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTEPH)Patients Treated with Riociguat: 2-Year Results from the CHEST-2 Long Term Extension Study.” CHEST-2 was an extension of CHEST-1 and treated 237 patients with CTEPH. The positive benefit of riociguat treatment lasted across two years, no matter the treatment received in CHEST-1 (placebo or riociguat). Patients had an increased six-minute walk distance and improved health related quality of life.

The three final presentations given will be “Health Outcome Assessment in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) Patients Treated with Riociguat: 2-Year Results from the PATENT-2 Long Term Extension Study,” “Efficacy and Safety of Riociguat in Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) Associated With Connective Tissue Disease: Results From PATENT-1 and PATENT-2,” and “Characterization of Chinese Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) or Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTEPH): Baseline Characteristics from the PATENT-1 and CHEST-1 Studies and Comparison With Other Studies.” These studies further underscore the efficacy of riociguat in patients with CTEPH and the applicability of the studies to the population of individuals affected by CTEPH and PAH.

In spite of recent advances, CTEPH and PAH are diseases with serious unmet medical needs. Bayer plans to use to use their participation in the ATS this year as an opportunity to present their research findings to not only the research community, but to patients as well, who remain focused on staying up to date on the latest therapeutic advancements for PAH and CTEPH.