Merck Serono, EMD Serono suspend global clinical development program for Stimuvax temporarily

December 13, 2015

"Patient safety is of paramount importance to Merck Serono and to Oncothyreon," said Robert L. Kirkman, M.D., President and CEO of Oncothyreon. "We understand that Merck Serono is working closely with the FDA, other regulatory agencies and the patient's physicians to evaluate the implications of this adverse reaction and to determine an appropriate course of action."

The exploratory trial in multiple myeloma is designed to investigate the mechanism of action of Stimuvax and the effect of cyclophosphamide on regulatory T cells, which may affect the response to the therapeutic vaccine. The adverse event occurred in a patient receiving a more intensive regimen of low-dose cyclophosphamide than is utilized in the Phase 3 program. The patient developed an encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain. No other events of this kind have been reported in other trials of Stimuvax to date.

SOURCE Oncothyreon Inc.