Biotech co. begins phase 3 study of melanoma treatment

WOBURN, Mass. A biotech company developing medicines for cancer and infectious diseases has started a phase 3 study of a drug for melanoma.

BioVex has initiated its study of OncoVEX (GM-CSF) in previously treated patients with stage 3 and stage 4 melanoma. The study has started recruiting patients in the United States and will open sites in the United Kingdom, Germany and Australia later this year.

“The treatment options for patients with recurrent or metastatic melanoma are currently very limited, with no therapy being approved or recognized to be effective in the second line setting and beyond,” BioVex chief technology officer and founder Robert Coffin said. “Currently, there are also very few late-stage or pivotal clinical studies available for patients who have filed first-line therapy.”

The study will enroll 360 patients, including 240 who will take OncoVEX and 120 in the control group.