Merck Serono wins ASCO recognition for Erbitux research

Merck Serono's continuing research into the versatile cancer treatment Erbitux has won recognition for its significance from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

The body's annual Clinical Cancer Advances report has cited the recent discovery that BRAF mutation status is a prognostic, not predictive, marker for Erbitux efficacy among metastatic colorectal cancer patients as a notable development in the field for 2010.

It represents the third consecutive year that Merck Serono's Erbitux research has been included in the report, with ASCO having previously described the drug as an important advance in the area of personalised medicine.

Dr Oliver Kisker, senior vice-president for Merck Serono's global clinical development unit for oncology, said the company looks forward to another year of progress.

He added: "We continue to believe that using biomarkers to convert therapies targeted at specific pathways into personalised medicines will lead to greater progress in improving cancer care for patients."

Last week, Merck Serono completed enrolment for a new clinical trial of Cladribine Tablets, a new treatment option for multiple sclerosis patients.