Merck KGaA, a renowned science and technology company, has discontinued its Phase III clinical trials for xevinapant in treating locally advanced head and neck cancer. The decision stems from an interim analysis indicating the unlikelihood of meeting the primary goal of prolonging event-free survival.
Despite favorable safety profiles, the company has also halted the X-Ray Vision trial, which evaluated xevinapant in combination with radiotherapy for resected locally advanced head and neck cancer.
Merck KGaA remains committed to developing innovative oncology therapies, particularly in areas with high unmet medical needs. The company’s expertise spans antibody drug conjugates and DNA damage response inhibitors, targeting tumor vulnerabilities across various cancer types.
Erbitux, licensed by Merck KGaA outside North America, remains a cornerstone in head and neck cancer treatment. It has received approval in Europe for use in combination with radiotherapy for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
Merck KGaA continues to invest in Erbitux research through numerous clinical trials, aiming to enhance the therapeutic landscape for head and neck cancer patients.
Xevinapant, an investigational IAP inhibitor, was initially developed by Debiopharm International SA. Merck KGaA acquired exclusive rights to xevinapant in 2021 for global development and commercialization. However, it remains unapproved for any use worldwide.
Merck KGaA’s commitment to advancing cancer care involves exploring promising mechanisms and developing synergistic therapies that target the core of cancer. The company strives to optimize the effectiveness of existing treatments while pioneering novel medicines for patients with unmet medical needs.
Jon Napitupulu is Director of Media Relations at The Clinical Trial Vanguard. Jon, a computer data scientist, focuses on the latest clinical trial industry news and trends.
