• 2/25/2007
  • London, England
  • Katherine Griffiths
  • Telegraph.co.uk

GlaxoSmithkline will start an advanced trial of its experimental breast cancer drug to test its efficacy against tumours in the head and neck.

GSK has filed Tykerb for approval with America’s Food and Drug Administration and European regulators as a breast cancer drug. A decision by the FDA is expected on March 13 and in Europe in September.

Analysts and doctors believe it will experience the same levels of demand as Herceptin, which is now widely available on the NHS after patients sued their local primary care trusts to get access to the drug.

As well as looking highly effective against certain forms of breast cancer, Tykerb has shown early signs of combating other forms of cancer, such as brain tumours. Analysts believe Tykerb will fall into the category of blockbuster drugs, with sales of more than £500m.

GSK, headed by chief executive Jean-Pierre Garnier, announced last night it would start a Phase III trial in patients who have just had surgery, giving them the drug in the hope it will stop another tumour from growing.

GSK presented data at a medical meeting in Barcelona at the end of last week from a Phase I study. The drug taken jointly with chemotherapy and radiotherapy had a positive response in 89pc of patients.

Paolo Paoletti, vice president of GSK’s Oncology Development Centre, said: “Having already shown such promise as a breast cancer treatment, we are excited to continue investigating lapatinib [Tykerb].

“We think it may represent a new treatment for difficult-to-treat tumour types, such as head and neck cancer.”