Horizon Oncology Center to Participate in Clinical Research Study of a New Investigational Drug for Lung Cancer
Lafayette, Indiana, February 16, 2010 - Horizon Oncology Center is now recruiting qualified participants for phase one of a two part clinical research study using the investigational drug MM-121. Horizon Oncology Center is the first of only three study centers in the United States to offer this clinical research study.
In this first phase of the research study, study participants with non-small cell lung cancer will be treated with MM-121 in combination with Tarveca ® (erlotinib) – an oral targeted drug used to treat non-small cell lung cancer.
The ErbB3 receptor is a novel target known to be a key mediator of signaling in the ErbB pathway (also known as the EGFR or HER pathway) – a signaling network that impacts a broad array of cancers. Research data has also shown that ErbB3 may play a central role in resistance to both targeted therapies and chemotherapy in a number of tumor types. By targeting ErbB3, MM-121 is designed to have a broad application across cancer as both a monotherapy and in combination with other therapeutics.
“This study will help answer the question of whether this new investigational drug is a safe and effective method of delivering potent drugs to cancer cells without the serious side effects associated with traditional chemotherapy,” added Dr. Harb.
Merrimack developed MM-121 after identifying the importance of ErbB3 through its Network Biology approach, a fully integrated drug discovery and development technique that combines biology, engineering, and computational modeling to better understand the underlying complexity of disease pathways. The information derived from Network Biology informs the strategic decisions guiding early pharmaceutical discovery as well as helping to advance investigational drugs through pre-clinical, clinical development and towards commercialization.
To participate in this research study, individuals must be at least 18 years of age and have been previously treated with at least one, but not more than two, hemotherapy regimens. Individuals with no previous chemotherapy treatment may be eligible depending on the characteristics of his/her disease. Additional details and eligibility criteria can be found at www.clinicaltrials.gov by searching with the keyword “MM-121” or by contacting Horizon Oncology Center at 765-446-5111.
About Merrimack
Merrimack is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery and development of investigational drugs for cancer and inflammation. Merrimack’s first two oncology investigational drugs, MM-121, in partnership with sanofi-aventis, and MM-111, are in Phase 1 clinical testing with multiple pre-clinical development and research studies. MM-121 and MM-111 are investigational drugs and have not been approved by any regulatory agency. For additional information, please visit http://www.merrimackpharma.com.
About Horizon Oncology Center
Horizon Oncology Center, located in Lafayette, Indiana is a cancer treatment center offering some of the nation’s most advanced treatment options to patients throughout the country. The center connects doctors and researchers to provide patients with access to a broad range of leading-edge treatments and national clinical research studies.
Led by Wael Harb, MD – Medical Oncologist, Horizon Oncology Center maintains active affiliations and partnerships with some of the nation’s leading oncology treatment/research centers and pharmaceutical manufacturers including MD Anderson, the IU Simon Cancer Center, the National Cancer Institute and the Purdue Cancer Center. Horizon Oncology Center maintains a dedicated Clinical Research Director that works directly with patients, caregivers and family members to provide information regarding specific cancers and study options.
For more information about Horizon Oncology Center visit www.horizononcology.com.
Tarceva® is marketed by Genentech and OSI Pharmaceuticals. Tarceva® and its logo mark are trademarks of OSI Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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