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WILMINGTON, Del. - A recent Phase III trial, DESTINY-Breast09, has demonstrated a significant improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) for patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer treated with ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) plus pertuzumab. The trial results, which were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, indicate a median PFS of over three years, marking a notable advancement in first-line treatment for this patient population. AstraZeneca, a prominent player in the pharmaceutical industry with a market capitalization of $223 billion and impressive gross profit margins of 82%, continues to demonstrate its commitment to breakthrough therapies.
The study revealed that ENHERTU plus pertuzumab reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 44% compared to the standard treatment of a taxane with trastuzumab and pertuzumab (THP). The median PFS was 40.7 months for the ENHERTU combination versus 26.9 months for THP, as assessed by blinded independent central review. The benefit was consistent across various patient subgroups.
Additionally, the confirmed objective response rate (ORR) was higher for the ENHERTU combination at 85.1%, compared to 78.6% with THP. Complete responses were also higher with the ENHERTU combination, and the median duration of response surpassed three years.
While overall survival (OS) data was not mature at the time of the interim analysis, an early trend favored the ENHERTU combination over THP. The safety profile of the ENHERTU combination was consistent with known profiles of each therapy, with no new safety concerns identified.
According to Dr. Sara Tolaney from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and principal investigator in the trial, the results suggest that the combination of trastuzumab deruxtecan with pertuzumab could become a new standard of care in first-line treatment for patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer.
Susan Galbraith of AstraZeneca and Ken Takeshita of Daiichi Sankyo echoed the sentiment, highlighting the potential for ENHERTU to transform the treatment landscape and delay disease progression.
ENHERTU is a HER2-directed antibody drug conjugate (ADC) developed by Daiichi Sankyo and commercialized in partnership with AstraZeneca. It is approved in over 80 countries as a second-line treatment for HER2-positive breast cancer based on results from the DESTINY-Breast03 trial. According to InvestingPro data, AstraZeneca has maintained strong financial performance with 15.5% revenue growth in the last twelve months, supporting its robust product development pipeline. The company’s financial health score is rated as "GREAT" by InvestingPro analysts, who have identified several additional growth opportunities. For detailed analysis and more insights, investors can access the comprehensive Pro Research Report, available exclusively to InvestingPro subscribers.
The information is based on a press release statement.
In other recent news, AstraZeneca has announced the completion of its acquisition of EsoBiotec, a biotech company specializing in cell therapies, for up to $1 billion. This acquisition introduces the innovative EsoBiotec Engineered NanoBody Lentiviral (ENaBL) platform to AstraZeneca’s portfolio, which could significantly enhance its cell therapy capabilities. Additionally, AstraZeneca’s drug Imfinzi has received a positive recommendation for approval in the European Union as a treatment for muscle-invasive bladder cancer, following promising results from the NIAGARA Phase III trial. This recommendation is based on data showing a reduction in disease recurrence and mortality when used in combination with chemotherapy.
Furthermore, AstraZeneca’s AIRSUPRA has demonstrated a 47% reduction in severe asthma exacerbations in a recent Phase IIIb trial. The trial results, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, suggest a potential shift in asthma treatment practices. Meanwhile, AstraZeneca’s CEO, Pascal Soriot, has been appointed to the board of Agilent Technologies, broadening his leadership influence in the healthcare sector. Lastly, Soriot has been awarded 8,970 ordinary shares under AstraZeneca’s long-term incentive plan, reflecting the company’s performance over a three-year period. These developments underscore AstraZeneca’s ongoing commitment to innovation and leadership in the biopharmaceutical industry.
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