Array BioPharma trial failure highlights another anti-inflammatory (ARRY)
Read the Array BioPharma Inc. (Nasdaq: ARRY) press release carefully, and while the headline says its inflammation drug candidate ARRY-797 was well tolerated in two Phase I clinical trials, it becomes clear near the very bottom of the document that it failed the efficacy portion of the test.
The company now says it will discontinue development of ARRY-797 in chronic inflammatory diseases and will cease enrollment in enrollment of new patients in its current Phase II trial of the candidate.
If it’s any consolation, halting a trial with 170 patients is likely to save the company some dough. And this particular candidate was not very far along, so the Street likely didn’t even build in expectations for it.
The attention may now turn to Array’s ARRY-162, another anti-inflammatory that showed much more promising efficacy in its Phase 1 trial, and could eventually become a drug to help treat osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Results from a Phase II study of that candidate is expected in the third quarter. — Mike Tarsala
