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BioNTech mRNA cancer immunotherapy misses first goal in head and neck trial

Leading the company's oncology strategy

BioNTech's mRNA cancer drug BNT113, added to Merck's Keytruda, did not hold off HPV16-positive head and neck cancer longer than Keytruda alone. The miss, reported Oct. 13, was the first of the Phase 2/3 AHEAD-MERIT trial's two main goals, and US-listed BioNTech shares fell about 7% that day.

Updated Oct 30

Notable Quotes

While the PFS result was not statistically significant at this first analysis, the data support continued evaluation of BNT113 plus pembrolizumab in this trial and show that it is engaging its intended therapeutic mechanism.

from BioNTech mRNA cancer immunotherapy misses first goal in head and neck trial · Updated Oct 30

The analysis of the second dual primary endpoint, overall survival, will be critical to fully assess the potential of this approach to deliver durable benefit for patients with HPV-driven head and neck cancer.

from BioNTech mRNA cancer immunotherapy misses first goal in head and neck trial · Updated Oct 30