Spectrum Pharmaceutecals Inc (SPPI)

[antihama]

I was thinking about this combination a lot recently. It was at the Q1 2017 CC that Dr Raj 1st mentioned they were planning to do a study later in 2017.

We were also finalizing with key thought leaders a combination study with TDM-1 in second line targeted to begin later this year.

We heard about this combo mentioned throughout the 1st half of 2017 and then they stopped talking about it. It went off the radar and I was starting to give up on this combo so of course we now hear about it.

From their discussions last year, I got the impression it was going to be in 2nd line breast cancer but from the inclusion criteria I don’t think that is considered 2nd line. Below is verbiage taken from this combo trial and what I color in red is different verbiage then what is stated in the ongoing P2 US BC trial.

Patients must have had at least 2 lines of anti-HER2 directed therapies either in the metastatic or early-stage disease setting

It doesn’t appear to be 2nd line treatment but the “or early-stage disease setting” part of it does throw me off a little bit. Anyhows, I am glad they are exploring the potential of pozi and not let it rot on the vine as they have done with their other drugs such as Marqibo, Folotyn, and Beleodak.

Thanks for the Puma reference, I find it interesting that Puma and Spectrum are trying combos w Kadcycla. Jealous that Puma has a collaborator (NSABP Foundation) where we don't. When we 1st heard about this possible combo I was thinking it was going to be w Genentech but that's not the case. Back in May, in post 1670, I noted why maybe a Genentech might want to do a study [EDIT - and why w Kadcycla] but I guess not

And lastly " I'll wait for proof of this happening because if it did I think a collaboration w big pharma is a big deal." So I started doing a little leg work and reading an SA article (ImmunoGen: Why This Neglected $1 Biotech Stock Is A Strong Buy Now) whose tech is used to make Kadcycla and who receive a royalty on sales. So this comment from a poster (skitahoe) to the article (note - I'm totally unfamiliar w this poster but seems to know his/her stuff) gives some enlightenment on why Genentech would be interested in doing a combo trial w lil' old Spectrum

Quote:
Additionally, some Kadcyla trials weren't as good as anticipated, so sales are not rising as fast as anticipated, but they are rising. This effects how quickly IMGN will again receive Kadcyla royalties, which they previously monetized. It's my belief that Kadcyla, like many other drugs, is proving to be more effective when used in combination with other drugs, and sales will rise and usage spread as further results come in.