Studies find new drugs boost skin-cancer survival

Studies find new drugs boost skin-cancer survival

 

CHICAGO, June 11, 2011 — Two novel drugs produced unprecedented gains in survival in separate studies of people with melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, doctors reported Sunday.

In one study, an experimental drug showed so much benefit so quickly in people with advanced disease that those getting a comparison drug were allowed to switch after just a few months.

The drug, vemurafenib, targets a gene mutation found in about half of all melanomas. The drug is being developed by Genentech, part of Swiss-based Roche, and Plexxikon Inc., part of the Daiichi Sankyo Group of Japan.

Plexxikon, Daiichi Sankyo complete potential $935M deal

 
April 4, 2011

Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd. completed its acquisition of Plexxikon Inc., giving shareholders $805 million upfront with the possibility of near-term milestone payments of another $130 million on Plexxikon’s potential melanoma drug.

Plexxikon will retain its name, employees and Berkeley facilities, and it will continue research and development operations as an independent unit of Tokyo-based Daiichi Sankyo.

The deal was announced in late February.

Plexxikon, Daiichi Sankyo complete potential $935M deal

Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd. completed its acquisition of Plexxikon Inc.    , giving shareholders $805 million upfront with the possibility of near-term milestone payments of another $130 million on Plexxikon’s potential melanoma drug.

Plexxikon will retain its name, employees and Berkeley facilities, and it will continue research and development operations as an independent unit of Tokyo-based Daiichi Sankyo.

The deal was announced in late February.

Plexxikon’s lead drug is PLX-4032, or vemurafenib, that targets a specific mutation present in about half of melanoma cancers and about 8 percent of all solid tumors. Clinical trials of the drug, which is in a Phase III trial, have garnered a lot of attention because of their strong results and a collaboration with Pleasanton’s Roche Molecular Diagnostics, which has developed a test to help identify patients with the specific mutation.

Plexxikon and its development partner, Swiss drug maker Roche, plan to file this year for market approval in the United States and Europe.

Plexxikon also has a potential Hodgkin lymphoma drug, PLX-3397, in a Phase II trial and expects to start Phase II trials of the drug this year in acute myeloid leukemia, the brain cancer glioblastoma and metastatic breast cancer. It also has started a Phase I trial of PLX-5622, a possible treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Daiichi Sankyo to Acquire Plexxikon

 

Deal Accelerates Expansion of Oncology Franchise

Berkeley, CA—February 28, 2011 - Plexxikon Inc. today announced it has entered into a merger agreement with Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited, a Japan‐based global pharmaceutical company. The purchase price for Plexxikon is $805 million up‐front. Near‐term milestone payments associated with the approval of PLX4032 could total an additional $130 million. Closure of the transaction is subject to clearance under the Hart‐Scott‐Rodino (HSR) Antitrust Improvements Act and customary closing conditions.

Daiichi Sankyo to Acquire Plexxikon

Plexxikon Inc. today announced it has entered into a merger agreement with Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited, a Japan‐based global pharmaceutical company. The purchase price for Plexxikon is $805 million up‐front. Near‐term milestone payments associated with the approval of PLX4032 could total an additional $130 million. Closure of the transaction is subject to clearance under the Hart‐Scott‐Rodino (HSR) Antitrust Improvements Act and customary closing conditions.

Plexxikon Reports Overall Survival Benefit for Melanoma Patients in PLX4032 Phase 3 Trial

Plexxikon Inc. today announced positive data from an interim analysis of the BRIM3 trial, a large multi‐ center Phase 3 clinical study of PLX4032 (RG7204) in patients with previously untreated metastatic melanoma with the BRAF mutation. Patients treated with PLX4032 had an improved overall survival (OS) compared to patients treated with dacarbazine, the current standard of care. In addition, these patientslived longer on average without their disease getting worse, as measured by progression‐free survival (PFS). PLX4032 is an oral, novel kinase inhibitor that targets the oncogenic BRAF mutation.

Plexxikon Reports Overall Survival Benefit for Melanoma Patients in PLX4032 Phase 3 Trial

 

Study Meets Co-Primary Endpoints: Overall Survival and Progression-Free Survival Benefit

Plexxikon's U.S. Patent for PLX4032 Issues

Berkeley, CA — January 18, 2011 - Plexxikon Inc. today announced positive data from an interim analysis of the BRIM3 trial, a large multi‐ center Phase 3 clinical study of PLX4032 (RG7204) in patients with previously untreated metastatic melanoma with the BRAF mutation. Patients treated with PLX4032 had an improved overall survival (OS) compared to patients treated with dacarbazine, the current standard of care. In addition, these patientslived longer on average without their disease getting worse, as measured by progression‐free survival (PFS). PLX4032 is an oral, novel kinase inhibitor that targets the oncogenic BRAF mutation.

"Plexxikon - 2010 Fierce 15" - FierceBiotech

 
September 15, 2010

With pharma focused on new frontline therapies, developers are relying on new technology to advance a fresh series of best-in-class therapies--anything that looks like a me-too approach won't get pushed. And Plexxikon hit paydirt when it collected a $60 million upfront from Roche in early 2009 pact covering its PLX-5568, an experimental therapy for a rare genetic kidney disease as well as additional undisclosed programs. Altogether the developer has rounded up a whopping $185 million in non-dilutive partnership funding, a stellar record in an industry that thrives on that kind of cash.

Plexxikon publishes PLX4032 Phase 1 data in the New England Journal of Medicine

Plexxikon today announced publication of data from the Phase 1 clinical trial of PLX4032 (RG7204), confirming that treatment of metastatic melanoma patients with the BRAF V600E mutation resulted in significant tumor shrinkage in the majority of patients. Specifically, in the melanoma extension cohort of the study, nearly all patients showed some response; 81 percent of patients had tumor shrinkage of at least 30 percent. The data were published in the August 26, 2010 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, based on an analysis as of January 31, 2010. These results further support the current PLX4032 development strategy, which includes parallel and ongoing Phase 2 (BRIM2) and Phase 3 (BRIM3) studies to support registration. PLX4032 is a novel, orally administered, targeted agent that is selective for a key oncogenic driver in melanoma and other cancers.

Plexxikon publishes PLX4032 Phase 1 data in the New England Journal of Medicine

 

BERKELEY, Calif. – August 25, 2010 - Plexxikon today announced publication of data from the Phase 1 clinical trial of PLX4032 (RG7204), confirming that treatment of metastatic melanoma patients with the BRAF V600E mutation resulted in significant tumor shrinkage in the majority of patients. Specifically, in the melanoma extension cohort of the study, nearly all patients showed some response; 81 percent of patients had tumor shrinkage of at least 30 percent. The data were published in the August 26, 2010 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, based on an analysis as of January 31, 2010. These results further support the current PLX4032 development strategy, which includes parallel and ongoing Phase 2 (BRIM2) and Phase 3 (BRIM3) studies to support registration. PLX4032 is a novel, orally administered, targeted agent that is selective for a key oncogenic driver in melanoma and other cancers.