MERCK
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
Lone Star Announces Sale of SENQCIA to Noritsu Koki15.1.2026 14:30:00 CET | Press release
Lone Star Funds (“Lone Star”) today announced that an affiliate of Lone Star Fund XI, L.P. has entered into a definitive agreement to sell SENQCIA Corporation (“SENQCIA”), a leading provider of mission-critical building products and solutions in Japan, to Noritsu Koki Co., Ltd., in a transaction that represents a total enterprise value of approximately $519 million. Headquartered in Tokyo, SENQCIA develops, designs and distributes essential structural solutions that enhance the resilience, integrity and long-term safety of buildings and infrastructure. The company’s diversified product portfolio serves a broad range of end-markets and property types that are used in many iconic landmark properties across Japan. SENQCIA’s solutions help address key structural challenges facing Japan, including increasing natural disaster risk and aging infrastructure and building stock. During Lone Star’s ownership, SENQCIA has enhanced its go-to-market strategy and reinforced its operational resilience
Altris and Draslovka Partner to Scale Europe’s First Sodium-Ion Battery Technology Supply Chain15.1.2026 14:00:00 CET | Press release
Altris, a Swedish sodium-ion battery developer, and Draslovka, a global leader in specialty chemicals, have entered a strategic partnership to build Europe’s first industrial-scale sodium-ion cathode value chain. Under the comprehensive agreement that includes a total 19.3 MEUR in-kind investment by Draslovka in Altris, the two companies will scale fully connected production of Altris’ patented sodium-ion cathode active material (CAM) at Draslovka’s facility in Kolín, Czech Republic, supplying up to 350 tonnes of CAM annually. Draslovka and Altris are partnering to convert an existing line at Draslovka’s Kolín facility for production of Altris’ sodium-ion CAM, enabling rapid time-to-market and capital-efficient scale-up. Once ramped, the line will support production of up to 350 tonnes annually – a European-controlled supply equivalent to around 175 MWh of sodium-ion cell capacity. As part of the agreement, Draslovka is making a new in‑kind 19.3 MEUR strategic investment in Altris to c
CPP Investments Increases Commitment to Canadian Market through Northleaf Capital Partners15.1.2026 14:00:00 CET | Press release
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments) and Northleaf Capital Partners (Northleaf) today announced a significant expansion of their longstanding Canadian investment partnership, supporting the growth and scaling of domestic private companies. CPP Investments has committed to invest an additional C$750 million through its established Canadian mid-market program managed by Northleaf, bringing CPP Investments’ cumulative commitments to the manager to more than C$3 billion since inception. The customized mandate focuses on maximizing net returns through a diversified strategy that includes primary fund commitments to small and mid-market Canadian buyout funds, secondary investments, and direct co-investments focused on the domestic market. “There are compelling investment opportunities in the Canadian market, and our two-decade long partnership with Northleaf has proven to be an effective and scalable way to invest in homegrown businesses with patient, long-term capital,” sa
Vantage Data Centers Completes £200M Tap of Existing £600M Industry-First EMEA Data Center Asset-Backed Securitization (ABS) and Adds New £54M Class B Tranche15.1.2026 14:00:00 CET | Press release
Financing will support the company’s expansion across EMEA to keep pace with AI and cloud demand Vantage Data Centers, a leading global provider of hyperscale data center campuses, today announced it has raised an additional £254 million in securitized term notes. £200 million was raised through a tap of the existing Class A-2 Notes while £54 million was raised from the new Class B Tranche. This builds on Vantage’s debut public issuance in 2024 raising £600 million, which was the first-ever EMEA data center ABS completed in sterling. The Class A-2 Notes are rated A-, A (low) and A by Standard & Poor’s, Morningstar DBRS and Scope Ratings, respectively. The Class B Notes are rated BBB- by Standard & Poor’s and BBB by Morningstar DBRS and Scope Ratings. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260115777091/en/ Vantage’s 148MW Cardiff, Wales, campus is one of Europe’s largest hyperscale data center campuses. The new notes
QPS Selects Oracle Argus Safety Database to Enhance Pharmacovigilance in Clinical Trials15.1.2026 13:57:00 CET | Press release
QPS Holdings, LLC (QPS), an award-winning contract research organization (CRO) focused on bioanalysis and clinical trials announces the successful implementation of Oracle Argus, a premier pharmacovigilance system designed to support comprehensive safety case management for clinical trials. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260115711485/en/ Derek Grimes, EVP, Global Head of Clinical Research at QPS Holdings, LLC. The adoption of the Oracle Argus drug safety platform underscores QPS’s commitment to advancing patient safety, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence across its clients’ clinical drug development programs. Integrating this industry-standard safety platform strengthens QPS’ ability to capture, manage, and report adverse events in accordance with global regulatory requirements. “Ensuring patient safety and data integrity is at the heart of what we do when conducting clinical trials,” said Dere
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