Threshold Presses On In Two Phase III Cancer Trials As Competitors Wilt

Threshold and partner Merck Serono are benefiting from recent high-profile failures in sarcoma and pancreatic cancer. Armed with $100 million in payments since signing with Merck in February 2012, Threshold needs to rise above stiff odds and what some view as equivocal Phase II pancreatic cancer results.

Founded in 2001 as an early specialist in the field of tumor hypoxia, Threshold Pharmaceuticals Inc. finds itself nearing the finish line in two unforgiving indications, soft tissue sarcoma (STS) and pancreatic cancer. With the recent Phase III failure of Ziopharm Oncology Inc.’s palifosfamide in STS, the coast is clear for TH-302 to emerge as a relatively safe front-line alternative to established chemo regimens doxorubicin or ifosfamide.

But the larger pancreatic cancer indication is driving investor interest. Partner Merck Serono SA,the drug division of Darmstadt-based

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