Merrimack Reveals Additional Data from Oncology Candidate - Analyst Blog
Pipeline updates are highly awaited events in the pharma/biotech sector as they play an important role in deciding whether or not to invest in a particular company. These updates provide information on experimental drugs and at times give an insight into the commercial potential of the candidate once it is successfully developed and commercialized.
Earlier in the week, Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (MACK) announced that additional analyses from the phase III NAPOLI-1 study on MM-398 (irinotecan liposome injection) were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2015 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium. The candidate is being developed for the treatment of patients suffering from metastatic pancreatic cancer previously treated with gemcitabine-based therapy.
The extended analyses showed a statistically significant advantage in overall survival (8.9 months) in patients under the MM-398 plus 5-FU and leucovorin arm as compared to the control arm (5.1 months). Results also showed that a favorable overall survival hazard ratio in the MM-398 arm.
We remind investors that in September last year, Merrimack Pharma entered into a license and collaboration agreement with Baxter (BAX) for the development and commercialization of MM-398 outside the U.S. and Taiwan.
We note that Merrimack is in the process of submitting a new drug application for the MM-398 combination regimen in the U.S. Meanwhile, Baxter will be working on the Marketing Authorisation Application submission in the EU and other territories during 2015.
Merrimack currently has no approved products. We expect investor focus to remain on its most advanced candidate MM-398 going forward. The candidate is also being developed for the treatment of recurrent high grade glioma.
Merrimack Pharma currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks in the healthcare sector include Regado Biosciences, Inc. (RGDO) and Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ALXN). Both Regado and Alexion carry a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
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