MRUS - Merus adds 13% after data for head and neck cancer candidate

2023-04-17 12:55:02 ET

Dutch biotech Merus ( NASDAQ: MRUS ) gained ~13% on Monday after announcing interim data for its bispecific antibody petosemtamab from a Phase 1/2 trial in previously treated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Citing a presentation at the ongoing Annual Meeting of the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR), Merus ( MRUS ) said that petosemtamab achieved a 37% overall response rate (ORR).

As of Feb. 01 data cut, 49 patients had received the treatment intravenous at the recommended phase 2 dose of 1500 mg every two weeks.

Out of 43 patients who were evaluable for efficacy, there were 16 patients with overall responses, including 15 confirmed partial responses (PR) with a confirmed complete response (CR) ongoing after 20 months.

Other highlights of the findings include a median progression-free survival of 5.3 months and a 72.1% disease control rate.

While there were no Grade 5 treatment-related adverse events, 6 out of 80 patients discontinued on Day 1 due to Grade 3-4 infusion-related reactions.

Seeking Alpha analyst Avisol Capital Partners argues that MRUS, which plans to file a marketing application for lead asset Zenocutuzumab in the near term, can provide an opportunity “for savvy investors who do not invest beyond approval.”

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