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(NASDAQ: ARIA).. ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that the independent Data Monitoring Committee (DMC) of the Phase 3 SUCCEED trial has completed the second interim efficacy analysis as specified in the study protocol and has recommended that the randomized, placebo-controlled trial of oral ridaforolimus in patients with metastatic sarcomas continue to its final analysis, without modification to the study protocol.

The DMC review comprised approximately two-thirds of the progression-free survival (PFS) events anticipated in the trial. PFS is the primary end-point of the trial. The safety and efficacy of oral ridaforolimus is being evaluated in approximately 650 patients with metastatic soft-tissue and bone sarcomas who have achieved a favorable response to chemotherapy. The DMC also stated that no new safety signals were noted. Full enrollment of the trial was reached in December 2009. The final analysis of PFS is expected in the second half of 2010.