American biotech company Celgene recently announced that it has prematurely halted a phase three clinical trial for a drug called mongersen.
Celgene purchased the company that developed the treatment four years ago for $710 million, with the goal of bolstering its line of immunology and inflammation treatments. But those hopes were dashed after independent monitors found that the drug was not effective in treating its intended target: Crohn’s disease.
The company reported that it will not attempt to start another phase three study of mongersen, but that it is reviewing the possibility of developing it for ulcerative colitis.
According to a report in Stat, the disappointing results will mean that Celgene will have to more heavily rely on another one of its immunology/inflammation drugs — ozanimod — for its revenue. Ozanimod is currently used to treat multiple sclerosis, but Celgene plans to explore the use of that drug for Crohn’s disease and other conditions.
Filed Under: Drug Discovery
