New Data From Merck KGaA’s Pipeline Reinforces Commitment to Innovative Treatments in Oncology
5/18/2005 Orlando, FL & Darmstadt, Germany PharmaLive (www.medadnews.com) Merck KGaA of Darmstadt, Germany, today announced its continued investment in innovative therapies in oncology, supported by data presented at the 41st annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). Merck KGaA, known for the first-in-class EGFR-targeted monoclonal antibody, Erbitux® (cetuximab) that works by blocking the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) to inhibit tumor growth and spread, has ongoing active development programs with additional novel therapies that may offer new hope to people with cancer. “These are exciting times in oncology,” said Dr. Bernhard Ehmer, Vice President, Business Area Oncology, Merck KGaA. “With a better understanding of the growth and spread of tumors, we are able to develop treatments that target the cancer cells and give physicians and their patients additional options with which to fight cancer. We are particularly excited by Erbitux not only in the treatment of colorectal cancer but also in its potential in head and neck cancer and by BLP25 Liposome Vaccine (L-BLP25), which is showing impressive results in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. Furthermore, our humanized EGFR-targeting monoclonal antibody matuzumab is showing potential in several types of cancer.” Erbitux Consistent findings in clinical trials supports the use of Erbitux in different treatment settings, and several presentations at ASCO focused on the results of studies of Erbitux in the treatment of various stages of colorectal cancer, squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Study results presented [...]