Novartis anticancer drug Canakinumab Phase III clinical trial failed to reach the primary endpoint

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On March 9, Novartis announced that the CANOPY-2 Phase III clinical trial of the anticancer drug Canakinumab (ACZ885) did not reach the primary end point of overall survival (OS).

Canakinumab is a fully humanized IgGκ monoclonal antibody that can bind to human interleukin-1 and neutralize its activity.

Preliminary data show that the drug can inhibit the promotion of tumor inflammation by neutralizing IL-1β, improve anti-tumor immune response, reduce tumor cell proliferation, survival and invasion, and weaken angiogenesis.

Novartis plans to continue to analyze these data.

CANOPY-1 is studying Canakinumab's immunotherapy and chemotherapy, and is expected to provide final data before the end of this year.

Canakinumab has an interesting history.

Unfortunately, as highlighted in today’s statement, although this drug is interesting and promising, it may not be enough, at least for the most serious cancers.

Novartis has not given up the drug.

At the same time, Novartis has discovered some indications that Canakinumab is effective for rare diseases, which brought in $873 million in revenue last year, an increase of 31% over 2019.

Flame Biosciences launched a $100 million round of financing in October 2020.

Reference source: Novartis' Autoimmune Drug Not Up for the Challenge in Phase III Cancer Trial