Protagonist Therapeutics, Takeda Pharmaceutical Announce Positive Phase 3 Rusfertide Results for Polycythemia Vera

Protagonist Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:PTGX) is one of the best mid cap growth stocks to invest in now. Just as June began, Protagonist Therapeutics and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (NYSE:TAK) announced the full 32-week results from their Phase 3 VERIFY study of rusfertide in patients with polycythemia vera/PV. The detailed results were presented as a late-breaking oral presentation/LBA3 at the 61st ASCO Annual Meeting Plenary Session on June 1.

The study successfully met its primary endpoint and all key secondary endpoints. PV is a blood disorder characterized by the overproduction of red blood cells, which can lead to increased blood viscosity and potentially life-threatening thrombotic events like stroke, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism. Patients often experience debilitating symptoms such as severe fatigue, difficulty concentrating, night sweats, and pruritus.

Protagonist Therapeutics, Takeda Pharmaceutical Announce Positive Phase 3 Rusfertide Results for Polycythemia Vera

A research scientist wearing a lab coat working with precision in a biopharmaceutical laboratory.

The primary treatment goal in PV is to achieve and maintain controlled hematocrit levels below 45% to prevent thrombotic events and alleviate symptoms. However, many patients struggle to achieve adequate control with the current standard of care treatments. Rusfertide is an investigational, first-in-class hepcidin mimetic peptide therapeutic that aims to regulate iron homeostasis and red blood cell production to control hematocrit levels in PV patients.

Protagonist Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:PTGX) is a biopharmaceutical company that develops peptide therapeutics for hematology & blood disorders, and inflammatory & immunomodulatory diseases. Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (NYSE:TAK) researches, develops, manufactures, markets, and out-licenses pharmaceutical products in Japan and internationally.

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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.