Amgen halts ganitumab study on little hope of success

USA-based Amgen (Nasdaq: AMGN), the world’s largest independent biotech firm, late yesterday revealed its decision to stop the ganitumab (AMG 479) Phase III GAMMA (Gemcitabine and AMG 479 in Metastatic Adenocarcinoma of the Pancreas) trial following the recommendation of an independent Data Monitoring Committee (DMC) overseeing the trial.

Based on the review of a pre-planned interim analysis, the DMC concluded that the addition of ganitumab to gemcitabine is unlikely to demonstrate a statistically significant improvement in the primary endpoint of overall survival compared to gemcitabine alone. There were no safety concerns raised in the DMC review of the study.

The GAMMA study is a randomized, multicenter, double-blind, Phase III trial to determine if ganitumab plus gemcitabine improves overall survival, compared to placebo plus gemcitabine, in the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas.