Merck KGaA returns Biomira's Theratope

Merck KGaA (FSE:MRK) returned to Biomira (TSE:BRA; BIOM) the development and commercialization rights for Theratope to treat breast cancer. MRK said it returned rights because the cancer vaccine is likely to require additional clinical trials for approval, and that additional trials would not meet MRK's commercial timetable for a near-term product launch.

In December, Theratope missed the primary endpoints of improving time to disease progression and overall survival in a Phase III trial in metastatic breast cancer. Theratope is a carbohydrate cancer vaccine containing synthetic sialyl-Tn ( STn) and Detox-B adjuvant. ...