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An experimental drug being tested on Hodgkin lymphoma patients has seen a 75% response to the treatment.
Brentuximab vedotin has been developed by Seattle Genetics (SGEN.O),and results of the phase-3 trial has allowed the company to start afirst-half 2011 application for US regulatory approval of the drug.
Out of the 75% respondents, some patients went into complete remissionwhile others saw a tumour burden reduction of at least 50%. Patientswho responded to the treatment did so for a median of more than sixmonths.
Chief executive officer of Seattle Genetics Clay Siegall said: “We areextremely excited with these results. Brentuximab vedotin has thepotential to be the first targeted therapy ever approved for Hodgkinlymphoma.”
RBC Capital Markets predicted that shares of Seattle Genetics wouldrise to over $13 (£8.31) if the trials had strong results. The stockclosed at $12.16 on Friday.
The investment bank is also predicting that brentuximab’s annual sales potential will be $400 million (£255.8m).
Copyright Press Association 2010
