Seattle's lead drug Brentuximab performs in Hodgkin's lymphoma trial

Seattle Genetics of the USA has been lifted by positive data from a pivotal trial of lymphoma drug brentuximab vedotin (SGN-35), its lead product candidate.

The study in 102 relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma patients found that 75% of those treated with the drug achieved an objective response, with a median response time of six months. There were no surprises on the safety profile either, said Seattle Genetics in a statement, with adverse events in line with those seen in earlier studies.

While the 10-year survival rate for patients with less advanced form's of Hodgkin's lymphoma is almost 90% with current chemotherapy, a subset of around one third of patients do less well and at the moment have few second-line treatment options.