ALLSCHWIL, Switzerland, Dec. 17, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Actelion Ltd (SWX:ATLN) announced today that preliminary efficacy data generated in the proof-of-concept study evaluating bosentan (500mg bid) in the indication metastatic melanoma (stage 4) do not support the initiation of a full clinical development program in this indication. The observed safety profile was consistent with earlier findings in clinical studies that led to the approval of bosentan (Tracleer(r) 125mg bid) in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).
The company will fully analyze the data generated in this study with close to 90 patients and discuss the detailed findings with key medical experts in the field. The company will also continue to evaluate the potential use of endothelin receptor antagonism in pre-clinical cancer models.
Actelion Ltd
Actelion Ltd is a biopharmaceutical company with its corporate headquarters in Allschwil/Basel, Switzerland. Actelion's first drug Tracleer(r), an orally available dual endothelin receptor antagonist, has been approved as a therapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension. Actelion markets Tracleer(r) through its own subsidiaries in key markets worldwide, including the United States (based in South San Francisco), the European Union, Japan, Canada, Australia and Switzerland. At the end of September 2006, Tracleer(r) was commercially available in 35 countries worldwide. Actelion, founded in late 1997, is a leading player in innovative science related to the endothelium -- the single layer of cells separating every blood vessel from the blood stream. Actelion's over 1,500 employees focus on the discovery, development and marketing of innovative drugs for significant unmet medical needs. Actelion shares are traded on the SWX Swiss Exchange (ticker symbol: ATLN).