QLT, Xenova suspend tariquidar Phase III

Xenova (LSE:XEN; XNVA) and partner QLT (TSE:QLT; QLTI) temporarily suspended enrollment of additional patients in two ongoing Phase III trials of tariquidar. QLT said that an independent data and safety monitoring committee (DSMC) recommended the suspension because of safety concerns related to certain combinations of tariquidar and chemotherapy. Accrual in the trials had reached the number of patients required for a 3-month interim analysis. The trials will remain halted until all patients already enrolled in the trial have been followed for a minimum of three months. At that time the DSMC will perform an additional safety review as well as review efficacy. Until then, the DSMC is blinded to efficacy data. ...