Ipsen reveals positive results from Somatuline Autogel trial

Ipsen's CLARINET study into the effectiveness of its Somatuline Autogel 120mg in treating gastrointestinal and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (GEP-NETs) has revealed positive results, the company has announced.

According to the phase III trial, the treatment statistically performed significantly better than a placebo in extending life or the time it took for the disease to progress. Further comprehensive results from the trial will be published during the annual meeting of the European Society of Medical Oncology, which begins on September 27th. 

Professor Martyn Caplin, principal investigator of CLARINET and professor of gastroenterology and gastrointestinal neuroendocrinology at the Royal Free Hospital in London, said: "CLARINET is the first prospective large scale placebo-controlled study inclusive of GEP-NETs which provides clear evidence that Somatuline Autogel 120mg delays tumour progression or death."

The 96-week CLARINET study is being carried out across several countries and involves treating patients suffering from GEP-NETS with either the Somatuline Autogel or a placebo and measuring the time to disease progression or death.