Acceleron gains on interim luspatercept data

Acceleron Pharma Inc. (NASDAQ:XLRN) and Celgene Corp. (NASDAQ:CELG) reported interim data from an open-label Phase II trial of luspatercept ( ACE-536) to treat beta thalassemia intermedia. The modified activin receptor type 2B ( ACVR2B) fusion protein that inhibits several ligands in the transforming growth factor (TGF) beta superfamily met the primary endpoint of erythroid response in nine of 12 of patients receiving 0.8 or 1 mg/kg luspatercept every three weeks.

Also, all six transfusion-dependent patients achieved at least a 60% reduction in transfusion burden over a 12-week period, and three of six non-transfusion-dependent patients had a sustained hemoglobin increase of at least 1.5 g/dL for at least 2 weeks. ...