VERTEX REPORTS PROGRESS ON CANCER STUDY

Vertex Pharmaceuticals has announced clinical and research progress in its worldwide collaboration with Merck to develop aurora kinase inhibitors for the treatment of cancer.

In a Phase I clinical study in patients with solid tumor cancers, dosing with VX-680 (MK-0457) demonstrated activity on a clinically relevant biomarker, triggering achievement of a milestone under the contract. VX-680 is a small molecule inhibitor of aurora kinases and the lead development compound in the collaboration. In addition, Merck has selected a follow-on compound for development from a joint aurora kinase research program that is part of the collaboration.