Merck, GSK Sarcoma Drugs Bring Different Efficacy Stories To FDA Panel Review

FDA’s Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee will be asked to consider a two-week median progression-free survival benefit with Merck/Ariad’s Taltorvic in the maintenance setting, and a three-month PFS advantage with GSK’s Votrient in second-line treatment.

Merck & Co. Inc. and development partner Ariad Pharmaceuticals Inc. face a seemingly formidable task at the Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee’s March 20 review of their investigational sarcoma therapy Taltorvic (ridaforolimus).

The companies will have to persuade ODAC that a statistically significant 26% improvement in progression-free survival, with a mean PFS...

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