Bayer is presenting six abstracts at the American Thoracic Society (ATS) 2016 International Conference through May 18 in San Francisco, Calif. The presentations highlight the use of Adempas (riociguat) for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH).

PAH, a chronic form of pulmonary hypertension (PH), is characterized by elevated blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries. CTEPH, a type of PH in which thromboembolic blood clots in pulmonary vessels and mayprogressively increase blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries – leading to an overload of the right ventricle in the heart. CTEPH may evolve after certain episodes of acute pulmonary embolism, but the cause is not fully understood.

Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE) is the standard, potentially curative treatment for CTEPH. The surgical procedure aims to clear clots and scar material of the lungs’ blood vessels, but only 20% – 40% of CTEPH patients are not eligible for the operation, and in over 35% of patients CTEPH persists or reoccurs after PTE.

Adempas (riociguat) is a stimulator of soluble guanylate cyclase. It is the only treatment approved in the U.S. for PAH and CTEPH. Adempas is indicated for adults with persistent/recurrent CTEPH after surgical procedure, or inoperable CTEPH, to improve exercise capacity and function. The drug is also suggested for adults with PAH to improve exercise capacity, function, and to delay disease progression. The drug has demonstrated efficacy as monotherapy or combined with endothelin receptor antagonists or prostanoids.

The poster presentations began Monday with “Baseline Characteristics of Patients Enrolled in a Prospective Study of Riociguat for Pulmonary Hypertension Associated with Idiopathic Interstitial Pneumonia.” The remaining presentatations are:

• May 17, 2:15 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Moscone Center, Room 3024 – “The RESPITE Study: Riociguat in Patients with PAH and an Inadequate Response to Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors.” See poster #1012.
• May 18, 11:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., Moscone Center, Area H, Hall D – “Riociguat Treatment for Porto-Pulmonary Hypertension: A Subgroup Analysis from the PATENT-1 Study.” See poster #990.
• May 18, 11:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., Moscone Center, Area H, Hall D – “Riociguat for the Treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension and Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension: Real-Life Data From the EXPERT Registry.” See poster #1028.
• May 18, 11:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., Moscone Center, Area H, Hall D – “Application of the Criteria for Satisfactory Clinical Response to Riociguat Treatment of Patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PATENT-1 and PATENT-2).” See poster #962.
• May 18, 11:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., Moscone Center, Area H, Hall D – “Baseline Demographics of the Prospective, Multicenter, Single-Arm, Open-Label, Phase IV MOTION Study of Riociguat in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.” See poster #1024.

Bayer’s senior vice president and head of Medical Affairs for the Americas, Dr. Dario Mirski said in a press release  that the company is pleased to share the recent data from recent and ongoing studies for the treatment of PAH and CTEPH.

“Bayer is committed to continued exploration of this treatment option for patients with life-threatening diseases, and we look forward to the valuable scientific exchange at ATS this year,” Mirski said.