Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) and Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE: MRK) announced that they have entered into an agreement to explore the therapeutic potential of the combination of Pfizer’s crizotinib (XALKORI) with Merck’s investigational anti-PD-1 antibody pembrolizumab, in a Phase 1b clinical study evaluating the safety and tolerability of the combination in patients with ALK-positive advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
“This collaboration between Pfizer and Merck is just one example of the willingness of sponsors to work together in an effort to accelerate progress against some of the most difficult-to-treat cancers,” said Dr. Mace Rothenberg, senior vice president of Clinical Development and Medical Affairs and chief medical officer for Pfizer Oncology. “Understanding the effects of combining one drug, XALKORI, which inhibits an abnormally activated enzyme in patients with ALK-positive metastatic lung cancer, with the investigational drug, pembrolizumab, which harnesses the body’s immune system to fight cancer, is vital if we are to continue to advance the care of lung cancer patients.”
This multi-center, open-label clinical study is expected to begin in 2015. Pfizer will conduct the study.
“We are pleased to build upon our ongoing collaboration with Pfizer to evaluate potential combination regimens incorporating Merck’s investigational immunotherapy pembrolizumab,” said Dr. Eric Rubin, vice president, Oncology, Merck Research Laboratories. “Evidence from early studies of pembrolizumab monotherapy together with XALKORI’s proven targeted therapeutic approach provides the scientific rationale for evaluating this combination for the treatment of lung cancer.”
Both companies previously announced plans to evaluate the safety and efficacy of pembrolizumab in combination with Pfizer’s small molecule kinase inhibitor axitinib (INLYTA®) in patients with renal cell carcinoma. Separately, pembrolizumab plus Pfizer’s PF-05082566 (PF-2566), an investigational immuno-oncology agent that targets the human 4-1BB receptor, will be evaluated in multiple cancer types. These studies are expected to begin enrollment later this year.
3、盘点2014年被FDA和EMA认定的“孤儿药”
孤儿药的市场到底有多大,开年至今,又有多少孤儿药已经通过美国食品药品管理局(FDA)或者欧洲药品管理局(EMA)的审批,接下来就让我们来了解一下,2014年那些被(FDA)和(EMA)认定的的孤儿药吧。
近日,一个名为“冰桶挑战”的慈善募捐风靡全球,引起了多国风云人物的追捧。在这股热潮的背后,是发起人对关注ALS患者的生存状况呼吁。“冰桶挑战”全称为“ALS冰桶挑战赛”,ALS即肌萎缩侧索硬化症,又称“渐冻症”。
挑战旨在让人们了解并体会“渐冻人”的感受,同时为其募款治病。这项慈善募捐的活动形式不仅成功地为患者筹集了资金,并且也唤起了人们对罕见病的关注。
数据显示,目前全球有3亿5000万的罕见病患者,罕见病多达8000多种,其中4000-5000种罕见病目前还没有相关的治疗药物,欧美每10个人中便有一个患有罕见病。而孤儿药也随着罕见病的备受关注而逐渐被认知,近年来某些治疗罕见疾病或生物机能紊乱的药物成为各大制药公司竞相追逐的新宠,不得不说,这与处方药在欧美市场销量的停滞不前有关。
OS2966:由OncoSynergy公司研发的实验性单抗药物,可有效对抗多种实体瘤,包括复发性和治耐药性胶质母细胞瘤。
ABT-414:目前正在评估治疗多形性胶质母细胞瘤,由艾伯维研发。
mocetinostat:是Mirati治疗公司研发的实验性药物,用于治疗弥漫性大B细胞淋巴癌。
ALN-AT3:采用了Alnylam制药专有的半乳糖胺共轭递送平台(GalNAc-siRNA平台)开发,能够通过皮下注射给药,用于治疗A型血友病和B型血友病。
Translarna:由PTC制药公司研发,用于5岁及以上无义突变型杜氏肌营养不良(nmDMD)非卧床患者的治疗。
Soliris(依库珠单抗):由Alexion制药公司研发的首创(first-in-class)的终端补体抑制剂,用于治疗重症肌无力。
Ryanodex(丹曲林钠):Eagle制药研发用于治疗恶性高热的可注射悬液。此前,FDA已于2013年8月授予Ryanodex孤儿药地位。
necuparanib(M402):Momenta制药公司研发的新型抗肿瘤候选药物用于治疗胰腺癌的药物,是一种硫酸乙酰肝素类似物。
IMMU-132(antibody-drug conjugate,ADC):ADCs是一类将抗癌制剂偶联于抗体的药物,与传统的治疗药物相比,ADCs能杀死肿瘤细胞,同时副作用较少,这也是该药获得的第二个孤儿药地位,由Immunomedics研发。
vatiquinone:该药是一种口服生物可利用小分子药物,属于苯醌类药物,目前正处于临床开发阶段,主要集中于遗传性线粒体疾病的治疗。由Edison制药公司研发。
Humira:用于治疗非感染性中、后或泛葡萄膜炎或慢性非感染性前葡萄膜炎。Humira是艾伯维的旗舰产品处方药,是全球首个获批的肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)-α全人源化单克隆抗体药,获批的适应症已达7个之多。
Volasertib:该药是一种实验性Polo样激酶(polo-like kinase,Plk)抑制剂,用于治疗急性髓性白血病(AML)。由勃林格殷格翰公司(BI)研发。
环丙沙星干粉吸入剂:由拜耳(Bayer)研发的,用于治疗囊性纤维化支气管扩张(NCFB)。
marizomib:是Triphase Accelerator公司旗下的新药,用于多发性骨髓瘤的治疗。
amatuximab:卫材旗下的单抗药物,用于治疗恶性间皮瘤。