Seattle Genetics Inc.
(
SGEN
) and
Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited
(
TKPYY
) recently announced the commencement of a global phase III study
(ECHELON-2) on their oncology treatment, Adcetris (brentuximab
vedotin). Adcetris (brentuximab vedotin) plus chemotherapy will
be evaluated for the front-line treatment of CD30-positive mature
T-cell lymphoma (MTCL) including in patients with systemic
anaplastic large cell lymphoma (sALCL) and other types of
peripheral T-cell lymphomas.
We note that study is being conducted under the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration's (FDA) Special Protocol Assessment (SPA)
program. Seattle Genetics said that the European Medicines Agency
(EMA) also provided scientific advice for the study. The
randomized, double-blind, controlled study will enroll roughly
300 patients and will be conducted in North America, Europe and
Asia.
Seattle Genetics and Takeda had presented encouraging phase I
data on Adcetris at the American Society of Hematology (ASH)
annual meeting in Dec 2012. Adcetris is currently approved in the
US for the treatment of patients with Hodgkin lymphoma after
failure of autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) or after
failure of at least two prior multi-agent chemotherapy regimens
in patients who are not suitable for ASCT and the treatment of
sALCL in treatment-experienced patients. Adcetris is approved in
the EU as well.
Our Take
We are positive on Seattle Genetics' efforts to expand
Adcetris' label. Approval in the front-line setting will boost
Adcetris' sales signifcantly. Adcetris net revenue in the third
quarter of 2012 was $33.7 million and for the nine months ending
Sep 30, 2012 was $102.8 million.
Seattle Genetics carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Right now
Agenus Inc.
(
AGEN
),
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc.
(
VRX
) and
Targacept, Inc.
(
TRGT
) look more attractive with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
AGENUS INC (AGEN): Free Stock Analysis Report
SEATTLE GENETIC (SGEN): Free Stock Analysis
Report
(TKPYY): ETF Research Reports
TARGACEPT INC (TRGT): Free Stock Analysis
Report
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
Zacks Investment
Research