Dive Brief:
- In a phase III trial, the dual-combo therapy of GSK’s Mekinist (trametinib), an MEK inhibitor, plus Tafinlar (dubrafenib), a BRAF inhibitor was more effective than Roche’s Zelboraf (vemurafenib) on treating the most severe melanoma cases.
- An interim analysis of the trial found improving overall survival (OS) rates in patients prescribed the dual-combo therapy; specific data will not be release until later this year.
- Safety and efficacy investigations are continuing.
Dive Insight:
According to GSK spokespeople, treatment with Mekinist and Tafinlar was so effective compared to Zelboraf that patients were switched over to the dual-combo treatment and an independent monitoring body recommended that the study be stopped early based on an interim analysis of results.
The positive results of GSK’s clinical study in 700 patients bodes well not only for the oncology R&D team at GSK, headed by Dr. Rafael Amado, but also for Novartis, which announced in April that it will be buying a majority stake in GSK’s oncology pipeline. Industry experts predict Mekinist and Tafinlar sales to hit $2.4 billion by the end of the decade.