Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc, a biopharmaceutical company, has completed   patient enrollment in a phase II, open-label, randomized clinical trial of MM-121, a fully human monoclonal antibody that targets ErbB3, in combination with paclitaxel (Taxol) versus paclitaxel alone in patients with platinum-resistant or platinum refractory advanced ovarian cancers. MM-121 is being developed in collaboration with Sanofi.

“We exceeded our target enrollment rate, even with a translational approach that required a mandatory biopsy for all women enrolled in the study, which we believe is due, in part, to the excitement of our clinical investigators about the potential for MM-121 to advance the care of ovarian cancer patients,” said Clet Niyikiza, Ph.D., Merrimack’s executive vice president of Development. “We are hopeful that through this translational approach we will be able to identify ovarian cancer patients likely to benefit most from MM-121 in combination with paclitaxel and have a real impact on treatment for these women.”

This study is designed to evaluate whether MM-121 in combination with paclitaxel is more effective than paclitaxel alone, based on a progression-free survival primary endpoint. A total of 223 patients were enrolled in the study being conducted in the United States and Europe. Top line results from this study are expected in the second half of 2013. Merrimack entered into an exclusive, global collaboration and licensing agreement with Sanofi for MM-121 in 2009.

Merrimack is a biopharmaceutical company discovering, developing and preparing to commercialize innovative medicines paired with companion diagnostics for the treatment of serious diseases, with an initial focus on cancer.