Aerugen, which was being evaluated for its ability to prevent Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in cystic fibrosis patients, did not live up to the efficacy results indicated in an earlier clinical study.
The placebo-controlled phase III trial involved 476 patients from 46 centers in four European countries. In the study, patients without P. aeruginosa colonization were vaccinated with Aerugen or a placebo vaccine.
Safety results of the phase III study were in line with previous findings and did not show any clinically relevant safety issue.
Crucell said that discontinuation of this clinical development program does not impact the company’s revenue forecast for 2006, nor its earlier stated goal to achieve cash break-even in 2007.