United States-based AbbVie has withdrawn an ongoing phase three trial assessing its antibody drug conjugate (ADC) depatuxizumab mafodotin (Depatux-M) intended for the treatment of newly diagnosed glioblastoma, it was reported yesterday.

The company has taken this decision after finding that the late-stage INTELLANCE-1 study did not meet primary endpoint of overall survival at the interim analysis. Furthermore, the trial could not indicate any survival benefit for patients subjected to treatment with Depatux-M. The firm stated that that the INTELLANCE-1 trial was recommended to be stopped by an independent data monitoring committee, and enrolment in all ongoing studies pertaining to the antibody drug conjugate has been stopped.

AbbVie vice chairman and president Michael Severino said, 'Glioblastoma patients and their caregivers face a devastating disease for which there are few therapeutic options. While we are disappointed that Depatux-M did not demonstrate a survival benefit in the INTELLANCE-1 study, we remain committed to discovering and developing therapies to address some of the most debilitating cancers.'