Takeda announces positive data from multiple myeloma drug trial

Takeda has announced positive phase III clinical trial demonstrating the safety and efficacy of ixazomib, its innovative new oral proteasome inhibitor.

Conducted in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, the TOURMALINE-MM1 study was able to meet its primary endpoint after the drug was shown to enhance progression-free survival at the first pre-specified interim analysis.

Patients treated with investigational ixazomib, plus lenalidomide and dexamethasone, lived without their disease worsening for a significantly longer time, compared to patients who received placebo plus lenalidomide/dexamethasone.

This data has been reviewed by an Independent Data Monitoring Committee and will soon be submitted to health authorities globally to support future marketing authorisation applications.

Dr Dixie-Lee Esseltine, vice-president of oncology clinical research at Takeda, said: "We are very pleased with the outcome of this interim analysis of the pivotal trial, and are excited about the potential that investigational ixazomib holds for patients with multiple myeloma."

The company previously reported phase II trial data in December 2014 that demonstrated the benefits of ixazomib when used as a single-agent therapy.