Clovis Oncology, Inc. is facing a double-hit for its stumbling PARP inhibitor Rubraca (rucaparib), as it has voluntarily withdrawn an indication for third-line ovarian cancer in the US due to safety concerns and is facing a significant delay in the filing timeline for a significant supplemental indication, first-line maintenance therapy in ovarian cancer. The company also appears concerned about ripple effects for the drug’s larger indications.
The third-line ovarian cancer indication is not a large one for the company, but Clovis indicated in an 8-K filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on 16 June that “this withdrawal may have an impact on the company’s sales outlook outside the treatment indication