Horizon Oncology Center to Participate in Clinical Research Study of a New Investigational Drug for Lung Cancer
Lafayette, Indiana, February 16, 2010 - Horizon Oncology Center is now recruiting
qualified participants for phase one of a two part clinical research study using the
investigational drug MM-121. Horizon Oncology Center is the first of only three study
centers in the United States to offer this clinical research study.
In this first phase of the research study, study participants with non-small cell lung cancer
will be treated with MM-121 in combination with Tarveca ® (erlotinib) – an oral targeted
drug used to treat non-small cell lung cancer.
The ErbB3 receptor is a novel target known to be a key mediator of signaling in the ErbB
pathway (also known as the EGFR or HER pathway) – a signaling network that impacts a
broad array of cancers. Research data has also shown that ErbB3 may play a central role
in resistance to both targeted therapies and chemotherapy in a number of tumor types. By
targeting ErbB3, MM-121 is designed to have a broad application across cancer as both a
monotherapy and in combination with other therapeutics.
“This study will help answer the question of whether this new investigational drug is a
safe and effective method of delivering potent drugs to cancer cells without the serious
side effects associated with traditional chemotherapy,” added Dr. Harb.
Merrimack developed MM-121 after identifying the importance of ErbB3 through its
Network Biology approach, a fully integrated drug discovery and development technique
that combines biology, engineering, and computational modeling to better understand the
underlying complexity of disease pathways. The information derived from Network
Biology informs the strategic decisions guiding early pharmaceutical discovery as well as
helping to advance investigational drugs through pre-clinical, clinical development and
towards commercialization.
To participate in this research study, individuals must be at least 18 years of age and have
been previously treated with at least one, but not more than two, chemotherapy regimens.
Individuals with no previous chemotherapy treatment may be eligible depending on the
characteristics of his/her disease. Additional details and eligibility criteria can be found at
www.clinicaltrials.gov by searching with the keyword “MM-121” or by contacting
Horizon Oncology Center at 765-446-5111.
About Merrimack
Merrimack is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery and development
of investigational drugs for cancer and inflammation. Merrimack’s first two oncology
investigational drugs, MM-121, in partnership with sanofi-aventis, and MM-111, are in
Phase 1 clinical testing with multiple pre-clinical development and research studies.
MM-121 and MM-111 are investigational drugs and have not been approved by any
regulatory agency. For additional information, please visit
http://www.merrimackpharma.com.
About Horizon Oncology Center
Horizon Oncology Center, located in Lafayette, Indiana is a cancer treatment center
offering some of the nation’s most advanced treatment options to patients throughout the
country. The center connects doctors and researchers to provide patients with access to a
broad range of leading-edge treatments and national clinical research studies.
Led by Wael Harb, MD – Medical Oncologist, Horizon Oncology Center maintains
active affiliations and partnerships with some of the nation’s leading oncology
treatment/research centers and pharmaceutical manufacturers including MD Anderson,
the IU Simon Cancer Center, the National Cancer Institute and the Purdue Cancer Center.
Horizon Oncology Center maintains a dedicated Clinical Research Director that works
directly with patients, caregivers and family members to provide information regarding
specific cancers and study options.
For more information about Horizon Oncology Center visit www.horizononcology.com.
Tarceva® is marketed by Genentech and OSI Pharmaceuticals. Tarceva® and its logo
mark are trademarks of OSI Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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