UTRECHT, The Netherlands and CAMBRIDGE, Mass. July 08, 2024 Merus N.V. (Nasdaq: MRUS), a clinical-stage oncology company specializing in the development of innovative, full-length multispecific antibodies, announced the dosing of the first patient in their phase 2 clinical trial of petosemtamab. This trial evaluates petosemtamab in combination with standard chemotherapy for second-line (2L) treatment in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Petosemtamab is a Biclonics® antibody that targets both EGFR and LGR5.
This milestone marks significant progress in Merus’ endeavor to expand therapeutic options for mCRC patients, who often have limited treatment alternatives after first-line therapy. The phase 2 trial will further assess the safety and efficacy of this combination regimen, aiming to improve patient outcomes in this challenging clinical landscape.
In addition to their advancements with petosemtamab, Merus has highlighted notable progress in other areas of their oncology pipeline. The Company earlier announced that Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB (Sobi) received Fast Track designation from the US FDA for emapalumab-lzsg, which is under investigation for the treatment of Macrophage Activation Syndrome (MAS). The Fast Track designation by the FDA is a critical development, potentially speeding up the review process and facilitating the availability of emapalumab-lzsg to patients in need of new therapeutic options.
Moreover, Merus has announced the publication of abstracts for presentation at the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting. Notably, the abstracts include data on MCLA-145, both as a monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab. This rapid oral session presentation is scheduled for June 2, 2024, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. CT. Such presentations are essential for disseminating new clinical findings to the wider oncology community, fostering collaboration, and advancing cancer treatment standards.
Merus’ recent progress reinforces their commitment to advancing the treatment of various cancers through innovative antibody-based therapies. Their ongoing clinical trials and regulatory achievements are pivotal steps toward providing new and effective treatment options for patients with hard-to-treat cancers.
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