Takeda commences phase III study of Amgen cancer drug

Takeda has begun a new phase III trial of a developmental cancer therapy created by fellow pharmaceutical company Amgen.

In association with its oncology subsidiary Millennium and the Takeda Bio Development Center, the firm has initiated a Japan-based study of AMG 479, a monoclonal antibody that targets the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor.

The trial forms part of a global programme that is evaluating the compound as a treatment for metastatic pancreas cancer when compared to placebo, with overall survival being the primary endpoint.

It is hoped that the drug will offer a novel treatment option for pancreatic cancer, a form of the disease for which there are currently very few available therapies.

Dr Nancy Simonian, chief medical officer at Millennium, said: "We will accelerate the development of AMG 479 with the hope of providing it to patients and medical experts as soon as possible."

This comes after Millennium agreed a new collaboration with Sunesis Pharmaceuticals earlier this month that will aim to develop new cancer therapies based on kinase inhibitor research.