Forschung: Astra-Zeneca stoppt Studie zu Krebsmittel
Der britische Pharmakonzern beendet eine wichtige Lungenkrebsstudie mit dem experimentellen Wirkstoff Volrustomig. Zugleich meldet der Konzern Fortschritte mit anderen Krebsmedikamenten.
British pharmaceutical company Astra-Zeneca has halted a clinical trial for its experimental cancer drug Volrustomig, as the medication showed no significant advantage over existing treatments in managing lung cancer, according to a statement released on Monday. The study involved patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer who produced low levels of the PD-L1 protein.
Volrustomig proved ineffective compared to the widely used Keytruda when administered alongside chemotherapy. An independent panel of experts recommended terminating the trial. Bloomberg consulted analysts predicted sales of Volrustomig to reach approximately $1.3 billion by 2032, though Jefferies analyst Michael Leuchten had already labeled its success "unlikely."
Despite this setback, Astra-Zeneca plans to continue researching Volrustomig for other forms of cancer, including mesothelioma and cervical cancer. The company, led by CEO Pascal Soriot, is known as a leading provider of cancer medications and has introduced several blockbuster drugs such as Tagrisso and Imfinzi in recent years.
CEO Soriot is facing pressure following investor reactions to reports of potential merger talks between Astra-Zeneca and Bristol-Myers Squibb.
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