UPDATE 1-Bayer, Regeneron aim to broaden use of eye drug
* VEGF Trap-Eye also to be tested on CRVO patients
* Main future use of drug is to combat wet AMD
* Bayer confirms peak sales potential 250 mln-500 mln euros
(Adds details, background)
FRANKFURT, April 30 (Reuters) - Bayer BAYG.DE and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (REGN.O) plan to broaden the potential use of their experimental drug VEGF Trap-Eye, the drugmakers said on Thursday.
The companies plan to start a Phase III drug trial in the second half of the year to test the drug against Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO), a condition caused by the obstruction of the central retinal vein, which leads to vision loss.
More than 100,000 people in the United States and more than 66,000 people in key European countries are estimated to suffer from CRVO, according to a statement.
Bayer expects the drug's main future use to be against wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness in adults.
VEGF Trap-Eye is an injection into the eye designed to subdue abnormal growth of blood vessels beneath the retina, which causes wet AMD.
Bayer confirmed it aimed to generate 250 million to 500 million euros ($331 million-662.5 million) in peak annual sales from the drug.
The injection for wet AMD is in the final trial needed for regulatory approval. The trial is comparing it with Genentech's DNA.DE Lucentis. ($1=.7547 Euro) (Reporting by Ludwig Burger; editing by Karen Foster)
