Pfizer reports positive data from leukaemia drug trial

Pfizer has announced clinical trial data from a phase III study assessing the safety and efficacy of inotuzumab ozogamicin, its new treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

The drug was able to achieve its first primary endpoint in the trial by demonstrating a higher complete haematologic remission rate in adult patients with relapsed or refractory CD22-positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia compared to the standard of care.

Pfizer will continue the study to see if the drug is able to also achieve its second primary endpoint goal of demonstrating an improved overall survival rate.

Efficacy and safety data from this study will be submitted for presentation at an upcoming medical meeting, and will help support future regulatory applications for the drug.

Dr Mace Rothenberg, senior vice-president for clinical development and medical affairs and chief medical officer for Pfizer Oncology, said: "The topline results show that inotuzumab ozogamicin has the potential to be an important new treatment option for patients with relapsed or refractory disease."

This comes after the firm recently allied with Merck KGaA to launch a new phase III clinical trial assessing a promising new treatment for non-small cell lung cancer.