Exjade (Novartis) success in Thalessaemia trial

Results from THALASSA, the first pivotal placebo-controlled study examining the benefit of iron chelation with Exjade (deferasirox) from Novartis, in patients with non-transfusion-dependent thalassemia (NTDT), show that Exjade can significantly reduce iron overload. These data were presented today at the 53rd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology in San Diego. THALASSA investigated whether patients with NTDT and iron overload can benefit from iron chelation therapy as determined by liver iron concentration (LIC). The study met its primary endpoint, showing that Exjade at a 10mg/kg/day starting dose significantly reduced LIC from baseline by 3.8 mg of iron per gram of liver dry weight (Fe/g dw) compared to an increase of 0.38 mg Fe/g dw in patients on placebo (p<0.001).exjade was fda approved in november 2005. a new indication is being sought for non transfusion dependent thalessaemia.>