Eisai and Helsinn Group commence phase III trial of CINV treatment

Eisai and Helsinn Group have commenced a phase III clinical trial of a new combination therapy for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV).

The multi-centred study programme will evaluate an oral fixed-dosed regimen combining netupitant and palonosetron among around 2,600 oncology patients receiving highly or moderately emetogenic chemotherapy.

Both the European Medicines Agency and US Food and Drug Administration have reviewed the three-study programme, which is being conducted across 18 countries as part of a licensing agreement between Eisai and Helsinn.

It is hoped that the treatment could be a promising new supportive care therapy option for patients affected by cancer.

Lonnel Coats, president and chief executive officer of Eisai, said: "We are pleased that the phase III clinical programme is underway and look forward to the possibility that, if approved, this investigational compound may one day bring benefit to patients who experience CINV."

Earlier this month, the company announced a new alliance with SFJ Pharmaceuticals that will see the latter firm assisting Eisai with late-stage drug development projects.