NewLink's IMPRESS results disappoint

NewLink Genetics Corp. (NASDAQ:NLNK) sank $5.50 (33%) to $11 in early after-hours trading Monday after it said HyperAcute Pancreas algenpantucel-L missed the primary overall survival endpoint in the Phase III IMPRESS study to treat resected pancreatic cancer. Median survival among patients treated with algenpantucel-L plus standard of care (SOC) was 27.3 months vs. 30.4 months for SOC alone in the 722-patient study.

The company now plans to focus its efforts elsewhere in its pipeline. Spokesperson David Connolly told BioCentury that NewLink is "evaluating the future" of the algenpantucel-L program, including the ongoing Phase III PILLAR study of algenpantucel-L to treat unresectable or borderline resectable pancreatic cancer. ...