Astellas discontinues development of lung cancer candidate ASP8273

Japanese drug major Astellas Pharma (TYO: 4503) says it is discontinuing the ASP8273 treatment arm in the late-stage SOLAR trial.

The Phase III study is evaluating the efficacy and safety of ASP8273 versus erlotinib/gefitinib for the first1-line treatment metastatic or advanced unresectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring sensitizing epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation.

Following a recommendation by the trial's Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC), Astellas is voluntarily closing study randomization and is informing investigators that ASP8273 treatment must be discontinued. Astellas is also planning to terminate future development programs for ASP8273 in NSCLC following its governance process.