Takeda’s Millennium begins lymphoma drug trial

Takeda's oncology-focused subsidiary Millennium has commenced a phase III clinical study of MLN8237, a new therapy for peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL).

The multi-centre international study will assess the efficacy of the investigational oral Aurora A kinase inhibitor treatment among patients with relapsed or refractory PTCL.

Patients from Europe, North America, Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region will all be involved in the trial, with the primary endpoints being overall response rate and progression-free survival.

MLN8237 is also being assessed across a broad range of haematological malignancies and solid tumours.

Dr Karen Ferrante, chief medical officer at Millennium, said: "There is a significant unmet medical need for patients suffering from PTCL. As a leader in the development of novel therapies Millennium continues to work toward filling that need."

Last month, Takeda announced that its new drug peginesatide, a treatment for symptomatic anaemia associated with chronic kidney disease, has been accepted for regulatory review by the European Medicines Agency.