MRTX - Mirati gains as Amgen posts new combination data for rival cancer drug
- Mirati Therapeutics ( NASDAQ: MRTX ) added ~10% in the pre-market Monday after Amgen ( AMGN ) posted Phase 1 data for the rival KRAS inhibitor Lumakras, highlighting liver side effects of the cancer drug in combination with immunotherapies.
- In 2021, Lumakras became the first approved targeted therapy for tumors with any KRAS mutation when the FDA greenlighted it for adult patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
- However, the KRAS inhibitor in combination with immunotherapies pembrolizumab or atezolizumab, developed by Merck ( MRK ) and Roche ( OTCQX:RHHBY ) ( OTCQX:RHHBF ), respectively, led to an objective response rate of only 29% in patients with KRAS G12C-mutated NSCLC.
- Notably, the drug combo was linked to a higher incidence of grade 3-4 treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs), mainly increases in liver enzymes, Amgen ( AMGN ) said, posting the data ahead of a presentation at a medical event.
- Amgen’s ( AMGN ) KRAS inhibitor Adagrasib is currently under FDA review as a second-line option in lung cancer.
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Mirati gains as Amgen posts new combination data for rival cancer drug