Clinical Research

Fresh from a successful European initial public share offering, the Belgian antibody developer ArGEN-X NV has given an update on the progress of its two lead products directed at potential cancer indications.

A Phase 3 trial of the cancer drug Kyprolis administered as a single agent for patients with refractory multiple myeloma has failed to meet its endpoint of improving overall survival. This follows another study of the same drug in combination with two other agents that was positive.

A first human study of a monoclonal antibody targeting the toll-like receptor 4 for the potential treatment of rheumatoid arthritis has been shown to be safe and well tolerated, according to the developer Novimmune SA of Switzerland.

A Phase 3 trial of a new combination treatment for relapsed multiple myeloma reached its primary endpoint of progression-free survival, demonstrating that carfilzomib with two other agents helped patients live 8.7 months longer without their disease worsening, Amgen announced.

A new therapeutic vaccine intended to alter the course of Parkinson’s disease has passed its first clinical hurdle following a Phase 1 study that showed the agent is safe and well-tolerated in patients. The vaccine has been developed by Affiris AG of Austria.

A Phase 3 trial of a combination therapy for metastatic melanoma has been stopped early because an interim analysis showed an overall survival benefit for the treatment group compared with the control, according to the developer GlaxoSmithKline Plc.

Scientists at Heptares Therapeutics Ltd of the UK have described for the first time the structure of a domain of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCRs) complex – membrane proteins that are involved in a broad range of biological processes and diseases. The findings were published online in Nature.

A vaccine designed to protect children in poorer nations against infection from the Dengue virus has been shown to be effective in a Phase 3 trial which was carried out over two years in five countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

Immatics Biotechnologies GmbH has received €22 million from its venture capital investors – the final tranche in a Series D round that will enable it to complete a Phase 3 trial of a cancer vaccine for renal cell carcinoma, a type of kidney cancer.

A Phase 3 trial of a new combination therapy for advanced melanoma has reached its primary endpoint of progression-free survival, the Roche Group announced. The trial was investigating Zelboraf and the experimental drug cobimetinib versus Zelboraf alone.