Pivotal trial data of zalutumumab in refractory head and neck cancer patients presented at ASCO 2010

Jun 9 2010

Summary: Data presented at ASCO from the first controlled study to demonstrate that an EGFr-targeted antibody given as monotherapy induces a clinically meaningful improvement in progression free survival in patients with refractory head & neck cancer who have failed platinum-based chemotherapy.

Genmab A/S (Copenhagen:GEN) announced today that data from the pivotal trial of zalutumumab in refractory head and neck cancer patients will be presented today at the 2010 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, which will be held June 1-8 in Chicago, Illinois. This is the first controlled study to demonstrate that an EGFr-targeted antibody given as monotherapy induces a clinically meaningful improvement in progression free survival in patients with refractory head and neck cancer who have failed platinum-based chemotherapy.

Dr. Jean-Pascal Machiels will present data from a pivotal Phase III trial of zalutumumab in combination with best supportive care (BSC) versus BSC alone in patients with non-curable squamous cell carcinoma (SCCHN) of the head and neck who have failed standard platinum-based chemotherapy (abstract number: LBA5506) today at 3:45 PM CDT. This research will also be presented at the 2010 Best of ASCO San Francisco Meeting, July 16-17, 2010. The purpose of the Best of ASCO meeting, according to their program announcement, is to provide additional "accessibility to important scientific research presented by respected members of the oncology community." The full abstract may be viewed at www.asco.org.

"We are pleased that the data shows zalutumumab given as monotherapy can provide a clinically meaningful improvement in progression free survival for these very sick patients," said Lisa N. Drakeman, Chief Executive Officer of Genmab. "We will continue to review the results with our clinical advisors and the regulatory authorities to determine next steps."