Boehringer Ingelheim reports positive data for lung cancer therapy

Boehringer Ingelheim has reported encouraging new results from a phase III trial of afatinib, its therapy for EGFR mutation-positive and advanced metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.

The company has concluded a pivotal study called LUX-Lung 3, the largest and most robust trial conducted among this patient group to date, in order to assess the efficacy of afatinib compared to the current standard first-line treatment.

It was found that Boehringer Ingelheim's therapy offers a number of potential advantages, which will be further investigated in the subsequent LUX-Lung 7 and 8 trials.

Full data from LUX-Lung 3 will be showcased next month at the American Society of Clinical Oncology's annual meeting.

Dr Mehdi Shahidi, global clinical development team leader for oncology at Boehringer Ingelheim, said: "The results will be particularly important for EGFR mutation-positive patients and underline our commitment to advance personalised care for lung cancer patients."

Last month, the company reported its financial results for the 2011 business year, during which it experienced annual sales growth of 6.2 percent.