Exelixis: Phase 2 Trial Of Cabozantinib Meets Primary Endpoint

(RTTNews) - Exelixis Inc. (EXEL) reported positive results from a phase 2 clinical study evaluating cabozantinib as a treatment for EGFR wild-type non-small cell lung cancer, or NSCLC. The Study E1512 met its primary endpoint, demonstrating significant increases in progression-free survival for cabozantinib and the combination of cabozantinib plus erlotinib when individually compared to the erlotinib arm.

Michael Morrissey, Exelixis' CEO, said: "The results from Study E1512 demonstrate cabozantinib's ability to extend progression-free survival and overall survival in a randomized phase 2 trial in comparison with erlotinib, an active comparator. The data also speak to cabozantinib's potential as a component of combination therapy in non-small cell lung cancer."

Exelixis said it is committed to working with partners at ECOG-ACRIN and the National Cancer Institute to evaluate that potential, and looks forward to discussing possible next steps, including combination trials with immunotherapies, as well as potential pivotal studies in late-line disease.

Exelixis also announced positive results from a two-stage phase 2 investigator-sponsored trial evaluating cabozantinib in patients with advanced RET-rearranged lung cancers. The objective response rate was 38%, with a median duration of response of 8 months. The trial already met its primary endpoint, exceeding the predefined targeted number of five objective responses.