Clinical studies of Lynparza were stopped in phase 3 due to futility
Merck (NYSE:MRK) has announced that it will stop the Phase 3 LYNK-003 trial focused on Lynparza (olaparib) with or without bevacizumab for patients with unresectable or metastatic colorectal cancer. Two experimental arms in the trial, one focused on Lynparza as monotherapy or in combination with the immunotherapy drug bevacizumab, will be suspended. The primary endpoint of the trial was progression-free survival. The study focused on patients without progression after first-line therapy.
Merck made the decision after receiving feedback from an independent Data Monitoring Committee (DMC) following review from an interim analysis. The PARP inhibitor Lynparza was first developed by KuDOS Pharmaceuticals and the University of Pennsylvania. AstraZeneca acquired KuDOS Pharmaceuticals in 2005.
In 2021, the drug jointly earned AstraZeneca and Merck $3.7 billion. The two companies continue to develop Lynparza for a variety of oncology indications, including metastatic breast, prostate, ovarian and pancreatic cancer. The drug first won FDA approval for maintenance treatment of ovarian cancer in 2017. MRK shares dipped 2.76% to $92.34 while AZN shares were up 0.63% to £11,200.00.
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