Celgene and Acceleron announce results on red blood study

KUALA LUMPUR, July 10 (Bernama) -- Celgene Corp and Acceleron Pharma Inc have announced results from a “phase III, randomized, double-blind, multi-center clinical study (BELIEVE)”.



Luspatercept achieved a highly statistically significant improvement in the primary endpoint of erythroid response, which was defined as at least a 33 per cent reduction from baseline in red blood cell (RBC) transfusion burden compared to placebo.



Luspatercept is a first-in-class erythroid maturation agent (EMA) that is believed to regulate late-stage red blood cell maturation, a statement said.



The study evaluated the efficacy and safety of luspatercept plus best supportive care versus placebo plus best supportive care in adults with transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia.



“For decades, the management of beta-thalassemia in adults has been limited to transfusions and iron chelation.



Reduction of transfusion burden represents an important step forward for patients with this rare and debilitating blood disease,” said Chief Medical Officer for Celgene, Jay Backstrom.



“The study marks the second positive phase III study for luspatercept and underscores the potential of this erythroid maturation agent to impact a range of diseases associated with chronic anemia,” said President and Chief Executive Officer of Acceleron, Habib Dable.



Celgene Corp is an integrated global biopharmaceutical company, headquartered in Summit, New Jersey while Acceleron is a Cambridge-based, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development and commercialization of therapeutics to treat serious and rare diseases.



More details on www.celgene.com and www.acceleronpharma.com



--BERNAMA