Singapore, Sep 15, 2009: Sanofi-aventis and its North American partner Regeneron Pharmaceuticals have discontinued the phase III trial of their experimental pancreas cancer therapy aflibercept (VEGF Trap) plus gemcitabine.

 

According to Regeneron officials, the trial was discontinued based aafter the recommendations by an Independent Data Monitoring Committee which concluded that there was little chance the drug would demonstrate a significant increase in the survival rate of patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer.

Metastatic pancreatic cancer is among the most intractable cancers. Clinical development of new therapies, including anti-VEGF agents, has been generally characterized by a failure to achieve significant incremental clinical benefit over existing treatments.

 

"We are disappointed with the result of this study and we will continue our efforts to bring new and effective treatments for these patients," said Dr. Marc Cluzel, Senior Vice President, Research and Development sanofi-aventis. "We remain committed to the other ongoing Phase 3 trials of aflibercept in colorectal cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, and hormone-refractory metastatic prostate cancer."