Astrazeneca plc’s blockbuster Enhertu continued to garner attention as new data released at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting show the antibody-drug conjugate demonstrated strong progression-free survival in metastatic breast cancer patients. Puma Biotechnology Inc. had advances of its own at ASCO with new biomarker findings from a phase II study of alisertib, an aurora protein kinase 2 inhibitor, in endocrine-resistant metastatic breast cancer.
The BioWorld Cancer Index (BCI) saw its highest point of the year from April through July, when it had a run above 30%, before falling to 23.5% at the end of August. It closed Q3 up 22.96% for the year, a sharp divergence from the more extensive Nasdaq Biotechnology Index and Dow Jones Industrial Average, which are tracking down 6.16% and up 1.09%, respectively.
Arcus Biosciences Inc., in a presentation on the opening day of the American Society of Clinical Oncology Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium (ASCO GI), reported a 41% objective response rate across the first four cohorts in its phase I dose-escalation study of AB-680, a small-molecule CD73 inhibitor for treating metastatic pancreatic cancer. The data also showed 88% of patients experienced at least some shrinkage of their lesions.
The oncology field pioneered adaptive trial designs through efforts such as I-SPY 2 (Investigation of Serial Studies to Predict Your Therapeutic Response with Imaging And moLecular Analysis 2), Puma Biotechnology Inc.’s phase II study of the pan-HER tyrosine kinase inhibitor neratinib (Nerlynx) as neoadjuvant therapy in metastatic breast cancer, and the ongoing multidrug, biomarker-driven
non-small-cell lung cancer trial known as Lung-MAP.
While the general markets are leaning toward positive territory following a quiet summer period, the enthusiasm for biopharma equities remains muted. One of the most closely monitored therapeutic areas is oncology. Earlier this year, public companies developing innovative medicines in that area had enjoyed strong support; however, investors now appear to be more selective in backing companies in that sector.
While the general markets are leaning toward positive territory following a quiet summer period, the enthusiasm for biopharma equities remains muted. One of the most closely monitored therapeutic areas is oncology. Earlier this year, public companies developing innovative medicines in that area had enjoyed strong support; however, investors now appear to be more selective in backing companies in that sector.
