Merck, AstraZeneca Stop Trial of Lynparza in Colorectal Cancer

The phase 3 LYNK-003 trial investigating Lynparza (olaparib) with or without Genentech’s Avastin (bevacizumab) for the treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer is being stopped for futility. Lynparza as a monotherapy and in combination with Avastin did not meet its objectives at a planned interim analysis. An independent data monitoring committee made the recommendation to discontinue both arms of the study. No new safety issues were seen, and the safety profile was similar to previous studies

Lynparza is a PARP inhibitor that is being co-developed and co-commercialized by Merck and AstraZeneca.

LYNK-003 is one of several trials that is a part of the Lynparza clinical development program. In addition to colorectal cancer, it is also being studied as both monotherapy and in new combinations across a range of DNA damage response deficient tumor types, including metastatic prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, breast cancer and pancreatic cancer.

Lynparza is approved for several indications, including advanced ovarian cancer, metastatic prostate cancer, metastatic pancreatic cancer, and early or metastatic breast cancer.