PFE Pfizer Inc

By Chris Wack

Merck KGaA and Pfizer Inc. (PFE) said Monday the Javelin clinical trial evaluating an ovarian cancer drug failed to meet its primary endpoint.

The Phase III Javelin Ovarian 200 trial evaluated avelumab alone or in combination with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin, or PLD, compared with PLD. The companies said the trial didn't meet its targets for overall survival or progression-free survival in patients with platinum-resistant or -refractory ovarian cancer.

According to the companies, no new safety signals were observed for avelumab alone or in combination, and the safety profile for avelumab in this trial was consistent with that observed in the overall Javelin clinical development program.

The study involved 566 women with ovarian cancer. The companies said the study results would continue to be analyzed.

Shares of Merck KGaA were down 0.7% to EUR96.94 on the Frankfurt stock exchange, and shares of Pfizer were untraded at $43.51 premarket.

Write to Chris Wack at chris.wack@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

November 19, 2018 08:05 ET (13:05 GMT)

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