Merck Serono reports positive new Erbitux study data

Merck Serono has announced findings from a new study that further underlines the safety and efficacy of its colorectal cancer drug Erbitux.

German cooperative investigator group AIO has reported new data from the phase III head-to-head clinical trial Fire-3, which showed that Erbitux plus Folfiri offered benefits in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer in patients with RAS wild-type tumours compared to an alternative therapy.

A 7.5-month increase in median overall survival rates was associated with the Merck Serono drug, while its safety performance was also shown to be satisfactory.

Further data on the performance of Erbitux will be published when the company completes its Crystal and Opus trials.

Dr Annalisa Jenkins, head of global drug development and medical for Merck Serono, said: "These results continue to reinforce the value of Erbitux as a first-line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer and show that RAS tumour status is likely to help to identify those patients who are most likely to benefit from Erbitux."

Earlier this month, the company announced that it will be expanding its existing partnership with Ablynx to include new research into the potential of nanobodies in several key therapeutic fields.