Why Merrimack Shares Are Surging Over 200% Today?

In this article:
  • Ipsen SA (OTC: IPSEY) announced that the Phase 3 NAPOLI 3 trial of Onivyde plus 5 fluorouracil/leucovorin and oxaliplatin (NALIRIFOX regimen) met its primary endpoint.

  • The combination therapy demonstrated a clinically meaningful and statistically significant improvement in overall survival compared to nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine in 770 previously untreated patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (mPDAC).

  • Progression-free survival (PFS) also showed significant improvement over the comparator arm.

  • In reaction to the news, Merrimack Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ: MACK) shares are up over 200%.

  • In 2017, Ipsen gained exclusive commercialization rights for the current and potential future indications of Merrimack's pancreatic cancer drug Onivyde.

  • Ipsen agreed to pay $575 million cash at closing plus up to $450 million upon the approval of potential additional indications for Onivyde in the U.S.

  • In August, the companies reported a primary analysis of the Phase 3 trial of Onivyde for second-line small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

  • The study did not meet the primary endpoint of overall survival in patients treated with Onivyde versus topotecan.

  • However, a doubling of the secondary endpoint of the objective response rate in favor of Onivyde was observed.

  • Price Action: MACK shares are up 243% at $13.72 during the premarket session on the last check Wednesday.

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