LONDON (AFX) - Antisoma PLC announced that R1549, its lead drug formerly known as Pemtumomab, has failed to meet its primary endpoint in a Phase III study in ovarian cancer.

The group, which specialises in the development of novel products for the treatment of cancer, said that the outcome for R1549-treated patients appeared no better than those of patients in the comparative arm of the SMART (Study of Monoclonal Antibody RadioimmunoTherapy) trial.

"Given these findings, it is unlikely that development of R1549 will continue," Antisoma said in a statement today.

The group is co-developing a number of drugs, including R1549, with Swiss pharmaceutical group Roche under the broad strategic alliance formed in November 2002.

"The outcome of this study will have no impact on our growth outlook and we remain committed to our long-term relationship with Antisoma, which is based upon multiple products," William Burns, Head of Roche's Pharmaceuticals Division said.

"Drug development is a high-risk endeavour and such results are not unexpected in the development of novel treatment modalities," he added.

etain.lavelle@afxnews.com

el/bam

Nice 6% rise for Clubby & Tabby

Cash burn was always going to be on the hot sideexpensive phase III trial failure in MarchSP was decimated and good news since has not been pricedASM havetaken steps to reduce our cash utilisation and ensure that our funds take us comfortably past key clinical data on AS1413 and AS1411, which are expected during the first half of 2011...sure its a puntbut I like the odds!.think the SP will end higher today

A webcast and conference call will be held today at 10.30 am BST.

Up 10.71% Tabby up up and away Clubby can do no wrong. The first million was hard but they keep rolling in now.

but about 5% spread!
confess i'm no fan of these micro-minnow drug companies

Good news for employees

Carry on working past 65 as Default Retirement Age to be scrapped in 2011

If one has not made enough to retire at 55 they should be put in a home as wasters.