PharmaMar discontinues development of Irvalec

PharmaMar S.A. (Madrid, Spain) suspended development of cancer compound Irvalec ( PM02734) to focus its resources on developing its other marine-derived compounds, including Yondelis trabectedin and Aplidin plitidepsin. According to the company, Irvalec demonstrated "notable activity" in a Phase II trial to treat gastroesophageal cancer, specifically in large cell undifferentiated carcinoma of the esophagus. However, the company said that the tumor subtype occurs in less than 1% of cancers of the esophagus. Irvalec is a synthetic marine-derived depsipeptide. Details were not disclosed. ...