Stimuvax is an investigational therapeutic cancer vaccine designed to induce an immune response to cancer cells that express MUC1, a protein antigen widely expressed on common cancers. Merck KGaA currently is conducting a global Phase III trial of Stimuvax in patients with unresectable stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Robert Kirkman, president and CEO of Oncothyreon, said: “We are pleased with the progress of our collaboration with Merck KGaA for Stimuvax. Stimuvax is an exciting product candidate with promising Phase II data supporting its development as a maintenance therapy after first-line therapy for patients with stage III NSCLC. There are currently no products approved for this indication, which therefore represents both significant unmet medical need and a potentially large market opportunity.”