-Positive high-level trial results for several cancer types
-Important step in expanded role for cancer drug
-Multibillion dollar deal signed in 2019
Pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca (AZN) reported positive high-end results from a phase two trial of cancer drug Enhertu across multiple advanced tumors in heavily pre-treated patients, meeting the prespecified target for objective response rate.
Enhertu is a specifically engineered antibody drug conjugate being developed and commercialised with Japanese partner Daiichi Sankyo.
Antibody drug conjugates are highly targeted drugs designed to kill cancer cells with the potential for reduced damage to healthy cells.
The DESTINY-PanTumor02 Phase II trail is evaluating the efficacy and safety in patients with locally advanced solid tumours unremovable by surgery or which have spread to other bodily organs.
The drug which has already demonstrated potential to improve outcomes for patients with breast, gastric and lung cancers was evaluated on other cancers including gastric, bladder, ovarian, pancreatic, and rare cancers.
The shares which have gained 23% over the last year on positive drug development progress were unchanged on Monday at £107.72.
WHAT DID THE COMPANY SAY?
Chief medical officer for oncology at AstraZeneca Cristian Massacesi commented: ‘these positive initial results in other tumour settings with significant unmet need are very encouraging.
‘The DESTINY-PanTumor02 results mark an important step forward in our understanding of the potential role of Enhertu across multiple HER2-expressing tumour types.’
AstraZeneca secured partial rights to Enhertu from Daiichi Sankyo in 2019 in a deal worth up to $6.9 billion including an upfront payment of $1.35 billion and contingent payments based on regulatory and sales-based milestones.
Daiichi Sankyo said it is on track to generate $1.5 billion of sales from Enhertu in the year to 31 March and sales are expected to reach $6.2 billion by 2028.
