Clovis looks to prostate cancer to differentiate its PARP blocker - CEO interview

While PARP blocker rivals AstraZeneca (LSE: AZN) and Tesaro (Nasdaq: TSRO) chase the prize of a first-line ovarian cancer indication, Clovis Oncology (Nasdaq: CLVS) is highlighting what it sees as promising prostate cancer data at this year’s ESMO congress.

However, chief executive Patrick Mahaffy is quick to point out that his firm remains “committed to the ovarian cancer market,” with “a 1,000 patient front-line maintenance study, in combination with Opdivo (nivolumab), that is presently enrolling."

While Astra’s Lynparza (olaparib) is on a roll, with a label expansion covering this indication seemingly within reach and sales of $269 million in the first half of the year, Clovis’ option Rubraca (rucaparib) has struggled to gain traction, taking in just $42.3 million in the same period.