Global healthcare leaders Merck, Sharp & Dohme Inc.(MSD; NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the US and Canada, and Daiichi Sankyo (TYO: 4568) have announced that their jointly developed anti-HER3 antibody drug conjugate (ADC), patritumab deruxtecan, has demonstrated a significant progression-free survival (PFS) benefit in the Phase III HERTHENA-Lung02 trial. This study marks a potential breakthrough for second-line treatment of patients with EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), who have previously received treatment with third-generation EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs).
The trial’s primary endpoint was met with a statistically significant improvement in PFS for patients administered patritumab deruxtecan compared to those on a regimen of platinum plus pemetrexed chemotherapy, followed by pemetrexed maintenance chemotherapy. While overall survival (OS) data is still immature and not yet available, the results are promising and will be presented to global regulators as the trial continues to assess OS as a secondary endpoint.
Patritumab deruxtecan, discovered by Daiichi Sankyo and licensed in partnership with MSD, is a first-in-class HER3-directed ADC with a unique DXd antibody drug conjugate technology. The drug combines a human anti-HER3 monoclonal antibody with a cytotoxic payload, auristatin F, linked by a non-cleavable linker. This targeted approach is designed to deliver a potent dose of the chemotherapy agent directly to cancer cells, minimizing impact on healthy cells.
MSD and Daiichi Sankyo’s collaboration, which began with a co-development deal signed in 2023, underscores the companies’ commitment to advancing novel therapies for hard-to-treat cancers. The partnership has led to patritumab deruxtecan’s global development and potential registration, with the drug already under review in various jurisdictions for different indications. – Flcube.com
