Wilex reduces headcount after Rencarex miss

Wilex AG (Xetra:WL6) will reduce headcount by up to 19 to about 110 after reporting in October that Rencarex girentuximab missed the primary endpoint in the Phase III ARISER trial to treat clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Wilex said the cuts will come only from its Munich, Germany site but declined to specify which departments will be affected. Wilex also said it has now discontinued development of Rencarex, a chimeric mAb against carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX). The company declined to disclose how much it expects to save with the headcount reduction, but said it has sufficient cash to fund operations until 2Q14. At Nov. 30, Wilex had about EUR 23 million ($29.9 million) in cash and cash equivalents (see BioCentury Extra, Oct. 16).

Wilex is focusing resources on developing its clear cell RCC diagnostic, Redectane, and on other clinical programs. Redectane is intended to assist in the detection or exclusion of clear cell RCC during diagnostic workup of an intermediate renal mass. The radiolabeled mAb against CAIX has completed a Phase III trial that evaluated sensitivity and specificity. Wilex plans to submit an SPA to FDA for a second Phase III trial to evaluate the product's diagnostic performance instead of its effect on clinical outcomes, but did not provide a timeframe for the submission. ...