FINWIRES · TerminalLIVE
FINWIRES

Eisai, Merck's Phase 3 Kidney Cancer Drug Combo Trial Fails to Meet Survival Endpoints

-- Japanese pharmaceutical firm Eisai (TYO:4523) and U.S.-based Merck's experimental combination therapies failed to meet the dual primary endpoints of progression-free survival and overall survival in a Phase 3 trial.

The trial was evaluating first-line treatment for advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma, a form of kidney cancer that accounts for approximately 80% of all cases, according to a joint statement on Tuesday.

The LITESPARK-012 study tested two regimens: Keytruda plus Lenvima plus Welireg, and MK-1308A (a co-formulation of Keytruda with an investigational antibody) plus Lenvima, against the established combination of Keytruda and Lenvima in 1,688 patients.

An interim analysis revealed that neither experimental combination met the study's two primary goals of improving overall survival and progression-free survival compared with the standard treatment.

Related Articles

Asia

Namkwang Engineering & Construction Secures KRW68.3 Billion Public Housing Project; Shares Decline 4%

Namkwang Engineering & Construction (KRX:001260) won an integrated private-participation public housing construction project from the Korea Land and Housing Corp.The contract, valued at 68.3 billion won, is valid till Apr. 30, 2029, according to a filing with the Korea Exchange on Wednesday.Shares of Namkwang Engineering & Construction fell nearly 4% in recent trade.

$KRX:001260
Asia

Wisdom Education Flags Lower Profit For Fiscal H1; Shares Up 3%

Wisdom Education International (HKG:6068) expects 30.5 million yuan in consolidated net profit for the fiscal first half ended Feb. 28, compared with 51.6 million yuan in the same period of 2025, according to a Hong Kong bourse filing Tuesday.Shares of the school-related supply chain business gained nearly 3% in late morning trade Wednesday.The firm attributed the decrease to a rise in administrative expenses and a drop in financial guarantee contracts during the period.

$HKG:6068
Asia

Thai Beverage Withdraws Crediting Rating Service with Fitch Ratings

Thai Beverage (SGX:Y92) decided to withdraw its credit rating service with Fitch Ratings, according to a Tuesday filing with the Singapore Exchange.Shares of the beverage company were up over 1% in Wednesday trading.The ratings provider has withdrawn its long-term foreign-currency issuer default rating, national long-term rating and ratings on the company's senior unsecured Thai Baht debentures.Meanwhile, the company is slated to maintain its existing rating agreements with Moody's Investor Service and TRIS Rating.The company is currently rated Baa3 with a stable outlook by Moody's and AA with a stable outlook by TRIS.

$SGX:Y92