GlaxoSmithKline Plc has reported the failure of a second Phase 3 trial of its candidate medicine for acute coronary syndrome darapladib. In the study the compound did not achieve the primary endpoint of reducing major coronary events compared with placebo and the standard of care.
An antiviral agent intended to prevent cytomegalovirus infections in patients receiving bone marrow transplants, has been highlighted in a paper in the New England Journal of Medicine. The compound, letermovir, originated at AiCuris GmbH & Co of Germany.
Merck & Co Inc said that is suspending a Phase 3 study of the experimental treatment vintafolide for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer on advice from the trial’s data safety monitoring board because the product didn’t show efficacy for progression-free survival.
A new paradigm for testing experimental medicines is being launched in the UK under the leadership of Cancer Research UK and with the participation of AstraZeneca Plc, Pfizer Inc and the National Health Service (NHS). The project involves testing up to 14 experimental medicines in patients with late-stage non-small cell lung cancer who have been ‘stratified’ according to the genetic characteristics of their disease.
Cytos Biotechnology AG of Switzerland said that its Phase 2b study of a new compound for moderate to severe allergic asthma failed to meet its primary endpoint of a statistically significant reduction in an asthma rating test, and the trial is being stopped.
An aptamer drug developed by Noxxon Pharma AG has shown positive results in a Phase 2a study of patients with diabetic nephropathy, a complication of diabetes. The drug, emapticap pegol, had beneficial effects on patients even after the cessation of treatment.
GlaxoSmithKline Plc has decided is to stop a Phase 3 trial of a MAGE-A3 cancer vaccine for patients with non-small cell lung cancer because it has been unable to identify a sub-population that might benefit from the treatment.
A novel gene therapy developed by bluebird bio Inc of Cambridge, Massachusetts has been administered to a patient with beta-thalassemia, a rare blood disorder. The treatment involves an autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
Daratumumab, a candidate antibody therapeutic developed by Genmab A/S, has reached a second milestone under a collaboration with Janssen Biotech Inc triggering a $22 million payment to the Danish company. Daratumumab targets CD38.
A Phase 3 trial of a MAGE-A3 cancer vaccine has failed to significantly extend disease-free survival in patients with non-small lung cancer – the first and second co-primary endpoints, according to the developer GlaxoSmithKline Plc.