Zybrestat meets in Phase II ovarian cancer trial

OxiGene Inc. (NASDAQ:OXGN) said IV Zybrestat fosbretabulin plus Avastin bevacizumab every three weeks met the primary endpoint of improving progression-free survival (PFS) vs. Avastin alone in the Phase II GOG 186I trial to treat recurrent ovarian cancer (HR=0.685, p<0.05). The combination missed the secondary endpoint of improving objective response rate (ORR) vs. Avastin alone. The open-label, U.S. trial enrolled 107 patients with platinum-sensitive and -resistant recurrent or persistent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal carcinoma. The Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) conducted the trial, which was sponsored by NIH's National Cancer Institute (NCI). OxiGene said it is evaluating next steps for the combination, but could not be reached for details.

The company released the data while the market was open on Tuesday and gained $0.36 (17%) to $2.42 on the day. The stock jumped an additional $3.51 (145%) to $5.93 in early after-hours trading after OxiGene issued an updated press release that corrected an error in a headline that said the combination decreased PFS. ...