Active Biotech (STO: ACTI) and Ipsen (Euronext: IPN; ADR: IPSEY) are discontinuing the development oral quinolone-3-carboxamide Tasquinimod after the results from pivotal Phase III trial 10TASQ10 which studied about 1200 patients suffering from metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) failed to show enough clinical benefit to justify seeking drug approval considering the known side effects. The results had been highly anticipated, with cautious optimism stemming from a successful 200+ patient phase 2 trial where the drug appeared to significantly slow disease progression in metastatic castrate resistant prostate cancer while the safety profile appeared acceptable.
The phase 3 trial did not show overall survival benefit and only a modest improvement in disease progression. Safety data is preliminary. The oral immunotherapy that binds S100A9 (targeting immunosuppressed tumour microenvironment) has shown some promise in other indications as well but the clinical program has clearly focused on prostate cancer, putting the entire future of the compound in doubt. The entire immuno-oncology field is just in the middle of a deal frenzy. For Active Biotech this is another major blow for a company that seemingly has had so many promising candidates that are yet to bring commercial success. The stock will be in severe pressure today.
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