Novartis has halted a phase 1 trial of its CD73 antagonist due to a low likelihood of efficacy, although the Big Pharma will continue to explore the therapy’s potential as part of a combo regimen.
The trial of NZV930 was “terminated early because data review showed low likelihood of efficacy in the patients recruited in that clinical setting,” a Novartis spokesperson confirmed to Fierce Biotech. The decision was not safety-related, they added.
Novartis will continue to evaluate whether NZV930 is effective when used in combination with other investigational agents, the spokesperson told Fierce. They pointed to an ongoing phase 1 trial of KAZ954 in advanced solid tumors that includes a cohort receiving the investigational therapy in combination with NZV930.