Sanofi-aventis given independent backing for cancer drug trial

Sanofi-aventis is to continue with its ongoing phase III clinical trial of the metastatic colorectal cancer drug aflibercept after winning a recommendation from an independent data monitoring committee.

A planned interim analysis of the Velour clinical study by the committee confirmed the safety and efficacy of the trial procedures, meaning it will now continue to completion as originally planned.

The study is designed to gauge the effectiveness of a combination of aflibercept and Folfiri among patients who have previously proven unresponsive to an oxaliplatin-based regimen.

Both Sanofi-aventis and its collaborative partner Regeneron Pharmaceuticals state that they currently "remain blinded" to the interim results of the study.

Tal Zaks, head of development for the global oncology division of Sanofi-aventis, added: "We look forward to the final results of the trial … with belief that the combination of aflibercept and Folfiri has the potential to benefit patients with this difficult-to-treat disease."

Last month, Sanofi-aventis entered into a new research collaboration with Scripps Genomic Medicine which will see the two firms working to develop new approaches to personalised medicines.