Ariad posts positive early breast cancer test data
By: The Associated Press | 28 Jul 2009 | 10:23 AM ET
The Associated Press
| 28 Jul 2009 | 10:23 AM ET
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - Ariad Pharmaceuticals Inc. on Tuesday said clinical trial results show its drug candidate ridaforolimus could be effective against breast cancer.
Aria said interim data showed
ridaforolimus may be able to overcome tumors that have become resistant to the cancer drugs Herceptin and Avastin. The company reported results from a mid stage study of the drug in breast cancer, in combination with Herceptin, and an early stage trial of ridaforolimus and Avastin.
The news sent Ariad shares surging 54 cents, or 22 percent, to $2.99 in morning trading.
Ariad is testing ridaforolimus in a partnership with Merck & Co. The drug is designed to act on a protein called mTOR, which is involved in the growth, division, and metabolism of cells. Ariad is a development stage company with no products on the market, and it is also testing ridaforolimus as a treatment for sarcoma.
The company is conducting a mid stage study of ridaforolimus and Herceptin against breast cancer to see if the combination can shrink tumors that have become resistant to Herceptin alone. Ariad said 28 patients have enrolled in the trial, which started a year ago, and 15 have no disease progression. The company plans to enroll a total of 33 patients.
Ariad also said an early stage trial showed ridaforolimus and Avastin could benefit patients with solid tumors. That study tests the two drugs against solid metastasized tumors that have become resistant to Avastin. It said five of the 17 patients in the trial are still involved in the study and have no disease progression.
Avastin and Herceptin are marketed by Genentech, a unit of Swiss drugmaker Roche Holding.
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