Maxim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has announced that based on ongoing correspondence with the US FDA, as well as consultations with external advisors, an additional phase 3 clinical trial will be necessary to further evaluate Ceplene plus Interleukin-2 (IL-2) combination therapy for the treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) patients in complete remission before applying for regulatory approval in the United States.

In May 2004, Maxim announced that its phase 3 clinical trial studying Ceplene plus IL-2 therapy in 320 AML patients in complete remission met its primary endpoint, improvement in leukaemia-free survival. Maxim will continue discussions with the FDA regarding trial design, however, given the time and costs required to conduct another phase 3 clinical trial, the Company believes that such trial would need to be done in collaboration with a corporate partner, and Maxim intends to pursue partnering opportunities in the United States related to Ceplene for the treatment of AML, a company release says.

Maxim is continuing discussions with European Regulators to determine if an additional phase 3 clinical trial is necessary for European regulatory approval. The Company will continue to evaluate strategic options related to the above outcomes, the release added.

Maxim Pharmaceuticals is a global biopharmaceutical company with a diverse pipeline of therapeutic candidates for life-threatening cancers and liver diseases.