FRANKFURT, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Bayer said on Thursday its anti-blindness treatment Eylea, jointly developed with Regeneron , has been shown to work as well when given at a higher dose at a longer interval between injections.
Two late-stage trials showed that Eylea, which is normally given in doses of 2 milligrams every eight weeks, was as effective when given at 8 mg at longer intervals, without any additional safety issues, the German company said in a statement.
The results will help Bayer compete with Roche , whose rival drug Vabysmo was launched this year. The Swiss drugmaker is seeking to win over patients with longer intervals between injections.
The two trials covered wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is the leading cause of blindness among the elderly, and diabetic macular oedema, respectively.
The results are a fillip for Bayer while it is burdened with billions in U.S. legal settlement costs over claims that its weedkiller Roundup causes cancer, though the company has recently won a string of court cases.
Eylea and stroke-prevention pill Xarelto are Bayer's most lucrative pharmaceutical products.
Eylea sales have held up well despite competition from newly launched Vabysmo, and Beovu by Novartis , which has been linked to certain inflammatory conditions in some patients.
Bayer generated sales from Eylea in the first half of 1.58 billion euros ($1.58 billion), up 14%, but the active ingredient's patent will expire in Bayer's key European markets in 2025.
Roche's Vabysmo had sales of 109 million Swiss francs ($112 million) during the first half of the year.
(Reporting by Ludwig Burger; editing by Matthias Williams)
((ludwig.burger@thomsonreuters.com; +49 30 220133634;))
Keywords: BAYER EYEDRUG/ (UPDATE 1)