In a phase 3 trial, an investigational cancer drug from AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo did not improve overall survival rates, and some patients died during the study, the organizations said July 3.
The drug candidate is datopotamab deruxtecan, an experimental therapy for locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer in patients who have been treated with another chemotherapy — such as docetaxel, the standard treatment that is in short supply.
In a news release, AstraZeneca said the study will "continue as planned to assess overall survival with greater maturity." No new safety concerns were noted in the phase 3 trial, and "some Grade 5 events [deaths] were observed."
The candidate met its endpoint of progression-free survival.