Amgen reports positive metastatic melanoma drug trial data

Amgen has announced the publication of primary results from a phase III trial demonstrating the benefits of its new melanoma drug.

Appearing in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, the results from the OPTiM trial demonstrated a significantly higher durable response rate in metastatic melanoma patients receiving the investigational oncolytic immunotherapy talimogene laherparepvec compared to an established alternative.

It represents the first oncolytic immunotherapy to demonstrate therapeutic benefit for patients with advanced melanoma.

Data from this trial has already been submitted to US and European regulators to support the company's applications for regional approval.

Dr Sean Harper, executive vice-president of research and development at Amgen, said: "While there have been some important new treatment options in recent years, the incidence of melanoma has risen dramatically, and we need additional approaches for treating advanced disease."

Last week, the company announced that it has received a recommendation from Europe's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use for its drug Repatha to be approved for the treatment of high cholesterol.