Bristol-Myers Squibb’s advanced liver cancer drug fails phase 3 trials

Hannah Blake

pharmaphorum

Bristol-Myers Squibb is considering whether or not to continue developing its advanced liver cancer pill, brivanib, after the drug failed its second late-stage clinical trial, BRISK-FL.

BRISK-FL is a randomized, double-blind, multi-center, phase 3 clinical study of the investigational agent brivanib, versus sorafenib in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, liver cancer), who have not received prior systemic treatment. In the trial, brivanib did not meet the overall survival primary endpoint.

“The treatment options for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma are limited, and we are disappointed that the primary endpoint was not met. Bristol-Myers Squibb remains committed to developing medicines for the treatment of diseases with serious unmet medical need, including diseases of the liver such as hepatitis C, hepatitis B, and liver cancer.”

Brian Daniels, M.D., Senior Vice President in Global Development and Medical Affairs at Bristol-Myers Squibb.

Bristol-Myers Squibb plans to present the study findings in an upcoming scientific meeting, along with the lead investigators. The biopharma company is still considering its options for the ongoing brivanib development program, and ongoing clinical trials, which include hepatocellular carcinoma as well as other tumour types, will continue for now.