MERCK
24.6.2024 22:36:33 CEST | Business Wire | Press release
Merck, a leading science and technology company, today announced the discontinuation of the Phase III randomized TrilynX study evaluating xevinapant plus chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in patients with unresected locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (LA SCCHN). The decision follows a pre-planned interim analysis performed by the study’s Independent Data Monitoring Committee, which found that the trial would be unlikely to meet its primary objective of prolonging event-free survival. Top-line safety data were overall compatible with the chemo-radio sensitizing properties of xevinapant. The company will conduct an in-depth review of the data and will share the results in a peer-reviewed forum.
LA SCCHN has proven to be a difficult-to-treat form of cancer. CRT has remained the standard of care for decades, despite multiple studies designed to improve outcomes with new treatment approaches, including multiple immunotherapy trials.
“We sincerely thank the patients, caregivers and clinical investigators who participated in this trial,” said Danny Bar-Zohar, Global Head of Research & Development and Chief Medical Officer for the Healthcare business sector of Merck. “While we are disappointed by these results, we remain steadfast in our commitment to develop transformative medicines within our oncology portfolio for areas of high unmet need.”
Given the totality of the data, the company decided to also stop the Phase III clinical trial X-Ray Vision (xevinapant plus radiotherapy, compared to placebo plus radiotherapy) in patients who underwent resection of locally advanced head and neck cancer.
Merck is working to develop and deliver new treatment options that exploit the vulnerabilities of tumor cells. The company is exploring modalities including antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and DNA damage response (DDR) inhibitors, across multiple tumor types, including many that have proven difficult to treat where there are significant unmet needs for patients. The company’s support for the head and neck cancer community remains steadfast with Erbitux®, approved in combination with radiotherapy for the initial treatment of locally advanced SCCHN, and which continues to be studied in more than 200 active clinical trials, including at least 15 Phase III studies.
About Xevinapant
Xevinapant (formerly known as Debio 1143) is an investigational potent oral small-molecule IAP (inhibitor of apoptosis protein) inhibitor. In March 2021, Merck gained exclusive rights from Debiopharm International SA to develop and commercialize xevinapant worldwide. Xevinapant is not approved for any use anywhere in the world.
Advancing the Future of Cancer Care
At Merck we strive every day to improve the futures of people living with cancer. Our research explores the full potential of promising mechanisms in cancer research, focused on synergistic approaches designed to hit cancer at its core. We are determined to maximize the impact of our standard-of-care treatments and to continue pioneering novel medicines. Our vision is to create a world where more cancer patients will become cancer survivors. Learn more at www.merckgrouponcology.com.
About Merck
Merck, a leading science and technology company, operates across life science, healthcare and electronics. Around 63,000 employees work to make a positive difference to millions of people’s lives every day by creating more joyful and sustainable ways to live. From providing products and services that accelerate drug development and manufacturing as well as discovering unique ways to treat the most challenging diseases to enabling the intelligence of devices – the company is everywhere. In 2023, Merck generated sales of € 21 billion in 65 countries.
Scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been key to Merck’s technological and scientific advances. This is how Merck has thrived since its founding in 1668. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed company. Merck holds the global rights to the Merck name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the business sectors of Merck operate as MilliporeSigma in life science, EMD Serono in healthcare, and EMD Electronics in electronics.
All Merck press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck website. Please go to www.merckgroup.com/subscribe to register online, change your selection or discontinue this service.
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240624549928/en/
About Business Wire
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Volue Welcomes TA Associates as New Strategic Investor13.2.2026 11:15:00 CET | Press release
Partnership Strengthens Volue’s Position as a European Leader in Electrification Technology Volue, a global leader in electrification and energy technology, today announced that TA Associates (“TA”), a leading global private equity firm, has joined as a new strategic investor alongside Advent International (“Advent”), Generation Investment Management (“Generation”) and Arendals Fossekompani. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260213436945/en/ Over the past 18 months, Volue has undergone a strategic transformation to sharpen its focus on the energy sector. During this period, Volue divested non-core activities and invested in targeted R&D innovation and strategic acquisitions to further position Volue as a leading provider of integrated technology solutions for power trading and generation, grid optimization, and energy market intelligence. Operating at the center of one of the most mission-critical markets of our
ABB strengthens electrical engineering advisory capabilities in Europe with Premium Power acquisition13.2.2026 10:30:00 CET | Press release
Acquisition strengthens ABB’s ability to deliver system-level advisory support at scale to help critical industries manage increasingly complex electrical infrastructures and safeguard energy resilience Enhances ABB’s Electrification Service division offering in power system studies, grid modelling and electrical risk management for data centers, pharmaceuticals and other critical industries Solidifies ABB at the electrical system level, embedding trusted advisory expertise at the point where operational risks, resilience and performance are defined ABB today announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire Premium Power, a leading electrical engineering consultancy headquartered near Dublin, Ireland. For more than two decades, Premium Power has established its reputation as a trusted advisor to large customers, particularly in data centers, pharmaceutical manufacturing and other mission-critical sectors where electrical resilience, uptime and regulatory compliance are essential.
EnergyAustralia, Enerven and NHOA Energy Mark Financial Close and Project Launch of the 245 MWh Hallett Battery in South Australia13.2.2026 08:00:00 CET | Press release
The project will support grid stability in the National Electricity Market, strengthening NHOA Energy’s long-term commitment to the Australian market NHOA Energy, global provider of utility-scale energy storage systems, today marked together with EnergyAustralia and Enerven the official project launch of a 245 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Hallett, near the town of Canowie, in South Australia, following the achievement of financial close and the project’s transition into the delivery phase. The milestone was announced today during a project launch ceremony held at the Hallett Power Station, attended by representatives of EnergyAustralia, Enerven, NHOA Energy, government, Traditional Owners and local community stakeholders. Owned and developed by EnergyAustralia, the Hallett BESS is being built alongside the existing Hallett gas-fired power station and represents the first stage of a broader site development. As delivery partner for Stage 1 of the project, NHOA Energy will
Echoworx Encryption Arrives on AWS Marketplace: Frictionless Security for a Global World13.2.2026 07:00:00 CET | Press release
Echoworx, the trusted name in email encryption, is now live on AWS Marketplace—fully deployed on AWS infrastructure. For global businesses, this means securing sensitive communications just got a whole lot easier, starting from purchase. Why AWS Marketplace? Why Now? Echoworx’s mission has always been to make secure communications as easy and accessible as possible. By joining the AWS Marketplace, Echoworx is taking this mission a step further, ensuring that customers can procure its encryption solution with the same ease and efficiency they experience when using it. Cross-border compliance, taxes, and billing headaches slow teams down. With AWS Marketplace, Echoworx customers bypass the usual red tape: automated tax and regulatory handling, simple multi-currency billing, and support for Private Offers. That translates to custom pricing and contracts in local currencies, less foreign exchange guesswork, and a procurement process built for modern enterprise. "Our partnership with AWS Ma
Align Partners Issues Formal Shareholder Proposals to Gabia13.2.2026 01:37:00 CET | Press release
Align Partners Capital Management Inc. (“Align Partners”), a shareholder of Gabia, Inc. (“Gabia” or the “Company”), has submitted formal shareholder proposals for inclusion in the agenda of Gabia’s upcoming 27th Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) and issued a call for strengthened governance practices to address the Company’s persistent undervaluation. Align Partners noted that, as shareholder proposals will be presented at this year’s AGM, Gabia should follow the Korea Exchange (KRX) Corporate Governance Key Indicators by publishing the AGM convocation notice at least four weeks prior to the meeting date. Align Partners emphasized that last year’s AGM notice was issued only 16 days before the meeting, limiting shareholders’ ability to adequately review the agenda and exercise informed voting rights. Gabia is widely recognized as a leading Korean IT services and cloud infrastructure company with solid operating performance. Despite these strengths, Align Partners believes the Company conti
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom