TOKYO, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Japan's Takeda Pharmaceutical Co
and U.S. biotech firm Amgen Inc said they would suspend enrolment
in the last-stage trials of a key cancer drug candidate following
negative study results.
Takeda, Japan's largest drugmaker, and Amgen will decide
whether to resume or terminate the development of the drug,
montesanib, after they complete reviewing data by an unspecified
time, a Takeda spokeswoman said on Thursday.
The suspension was recommended by an independent study panel
because of higher early mortality rates in patients using
montesanib compared to those on the placebo in the tests, Takeda
said in a joint statement with Amgen.
Montesanib is in Phase III trials as a first-line treatment
of advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
Takeda, whose mainstay diabetes and ulcer drugs will lose
their patent protection soon, has been moving to beef up its
cancer drug business operations.
Shares of Takeda fell 2.6 percent to 4,550 yen, outperforming
Japan's broader pharmaceuticals sector, down 3.2 percent.
(Reporting by Yumiko Nishitani; Editing by Rodney Joyce)
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