OncoGenex/Teva initiate Phase III trial for custirsen for Prostate Cancer

OncoGeneX and Teva plan to initiate a new Phase III study to evaluate the ability of custirsen (OGX-011) to improve survival for patients with Prostate Cancer when combined with recently approved, second-line chemotherapy, Jevtana (cabazitaxel). The new study will be conducted in lieu of the Prostate Cancer Saturn Study, which aimed to assess durable pain palliation as a primary endpoint. The study is expected to begin in the second-half of 2012. The SYNERGY Phase III study, evaluating a survival benefit in first-line chemotherapy castrate-resistant prostate cancer continues to accrue patients and is expected to complete enrollment later this year. The companies updated the enrollment target for SYNERGY from 800 patients to 1000 patients, which is expected to enhance the potential for SYNERGY to be reviewed by regulatory agencies independent of additional Phase III studies.