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Daiichi Sankyo and Merck Withdraw Lung Cancer Treatment Application After Unfavorable Trial

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Patritumab Deruxtecan’s bid for U.S. accelerated approval halts as top survival data from phase 3 trials fall short, signaling a critical pivot in treating resistant forms of non-small cell lung cancer.

Phase 3 Trial Outcomes Influence Regulatory Decisions

In a significant development in oncology, Daiichi Sankyo and Merck & Co. have officially withdrawn their Biologics License Application for Patritumab Deruxtecan (HER3-DXd), intended for patients with previously treated advanced EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer. The decision was influenced by the overall survival data from the phase 3 HERTHENA-Lung02 trial, which did not reach statistical significance.

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Continued Commitment to Cancer Research and Future Trials

The HERTHENA-Lung02 study, which compared Patritumab Deruxtecan monotherapy against standard doublet chemotherapy, revealed that the overall survival benefit did not meet the necessary statistical thresholds. Despite earlier phase 2 trials showing promise in progression-free survival, the phase 3 results prompted discussions with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, leading to the application’s withdrawal. This move is separate from earlier issues related to manufacturing facility inspections.

– The withdrawal underscores the complexities in developing therapies for EGFR-mutated NSCLC
– Biomarker analysis may yet reveal niches where Patritumab Deruxtecan is effective
– Strategic withdrawal allows for resource reallocation towards more promising avenues

Executives from Daiichi Sankyo expressed disappointment but emphasized ongoing efforts to analyze biomarkers that could identify patient subsets benefiting from the drug. The collaboration between the two companies remains robust, with Patritumab Deruxtecan being tested across 15 different cancer types in various clinical trials. The consistent safety profile observed in trials ensures no new concerns have arisen with its use.

The withdrawal of the BLA for Patritumab Deruxtecan serves as a reminder of the challenges faced in creating effective treatments for resistant lung cancer forms. However, the continued pursuit of research and development by Daiichi Sankyo and Merck indicates a resilient approach to overcoming these hurdles.

Despite this setback, optimism remains within the medical community for the advancement of targeted therapies in lung cancer. Insights gained from the HERTHENA-Lung02 trial will guide future studies, potentially enhancing the precision and efficacy of cancer treatments. Patients and healthcare providers alike can look forward to more refined therapeutic options as research progresses.

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