Merck Sharp and Dohme reports positive Emend trial data

Merck Sharp and Dohme has announced positive data from a new global study assessing the efficacy of its product Emend in paediatric patients.

The aim of the investigational phase III trial was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of Emend in the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in cancer patients between the ages of six months and 17 years.

It was found that among patients undergoing very highly, highly or moderately emetogenic chemotherapy, the use of Emend was significantly more effective than a control regimen in achieving complete response – defined as no vomiting or retching, and no use of rescue medication for nausea and vomiting – in all phases of CINV.

Based on these findings, the company is planning worldwide regulatory applications for Emend to be approved for use in paediatric settings, beginning with the US.

Dr Stuart Green, vice-president for clinical research at Merck Research Laboratories, said: "Nausea and vomiting are common complications of cancer chemotherapy and can be particularly distressful and debilitating to paediatric cancer patients."

This comes after the company had its new melanoma therapy pembrolizumab approved for European regulatory review earlier this week.