=Merrimack Pharma (MACK) : trial of pancreatic cancer treatment fails to meet main goals

Merrimack Pharma announces top-line results from the CARRIE study -- did not meet primary or secondary endpoints  

The co announced top-line results from the CARRIE study, a randomized Phase 2 trial evaluating the addition of MM-141 (istiratumab) to standard-of-care treatment in patients with previously untreated metastatic pancreatic cancer and high serum levels of free Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1). The study did not meet its primary or secondary efficacy endpoints in patients who received MM-141 in combination with nab-paclitaxel and gemcitabine, compared to nab-paclitaxel and gemcitabine alone. These results were consistent in all subgroups analyzed. Based on these results, Merrimack will not devote additional resources to the development of MM-141.

• Merrimack plans to present the complete data from this Phase 2 study at an upcoming medical oncology meeting.

The company said it would now focus on developing other programs in its pipeline, which includes a drug for breast cancer and lung cancer.