QLT says therapy fails Phase II trial

Canada's QLT says that it is suspending work on an experimental therapy for enlarged prostate after it failed to hit the primary endpoint of a mid-stage trial. Researchers announced that lemuteporfin failed to significantly decrease symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia after three months of treatment compared with a placebo.

"The preliminary result of this trial does not support initiation of Phase III clinical trials of lemuteporfin in BPH at this time," commented Bob Butchofsky, QLT's acting chief executive officer. "We intend to complete the analysis of the data, including the six-month measurements, in order to determine the best path forward."

- read this AP report for more