Merck study further underlines Erbitux benefits for colorectal cancer

Merck has announced new clinical trial data further demonstrating the benefits that its drug Erbitux can provide in the treatment of colorectal cancer.

Results from the pivotal Chinese phase III TAILOR study showed that patients with RAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer treated with Erbitux plus Folfox chemotherapy experienced better progression-free survival rates compared with Folfox alone.

It means the drug was able to meet its primary efficacy endpoint in the study, with the data from this trial set to support the company's efforts to secure Chinese regulatory approval of Erbitux.

To date, the drug has obtained marketing authorisation across more than 90 countries worldwide.

Luciano Rossetti, head of global research and development of Merck's biopharma business, said: "These impressive results reinforce the value and imperative of RAS biomarker testing in clinical practice, so as to provide patients with the right targeted therapy."

Earlier this month, the firm received EU approval for a new liquid biopsy RAS biomarker test that could be used to help determine which patients would benefit from anti-epidermal growth factor receptor therapies, such as Erbitux.