LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Nuvelo Inc.'s experimental fibrinolytic alfimeprase restores function in patients with blocked catheters faster than existing therapy, the company reported on Saturday.
Each year about five million central venous access devices are used in the US and about 25% become blocked.
A mid-stage trial of 55 patients compared three doses of alfimeprase against the approved dose of Genentech Inc.'s Cathflo Activase, which works by converting a protein into a substance that dissolves clots.
The highest dose of alfimeprase produced cumulative blood flow rates of 50% within 15 minutes after the first dose, 60% at 2 hours, and 80% by 2 hours after the second dose. The corresponding flow rates for Cathflo Activase were 0% by 15 minutes after the first dose, 46% at 2 hours and 62% by 2 hours after the second dose.
“This is all about speed,” said Nuvelo’s Chief Executive Ted Love. “This is an opportunity to give a drug more rapidly so the patient can get their chemotherapy and go home.”
No major bleeding events were reported in the trial patients and one patient had a catheter-related infection, according to researchers at the Sunnyvale, California-based company.
The trial results were presented at a meeting of the American Society of Hematology in San Diego.
MeSH Headings:Catheterization, Central Venous: Congresses: Health Care Economics and Organizations: Organizations: Drugs, Investigational: Health CareCopyright © 2002 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Reuters and the Reuters sphere logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world.
