BerGenBio Launches Pioneering Lung Cancer Trial with Promising New Treatment

On January 7, 2025, BerGenBio ASA (OSE: BGBIO), a forward-thinking clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, announced the entry of its first patient into a groundbreaking clinical trial aimed at treating advanced adenocarcinoma lung cancer. This trial is particularly noteworthy as it investigates the efficacy of bemcentinib, a selective AXL kinase inhibitor, in combination with pacritinib.

The trial is sponsored by the Mays Cancer Center at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, where Dr. Josephine A. Taverna leads the research. As a prominent thoracic oncologist, Dr. Taverna's expertise is crucial; her prior research indicates that AXL and JAK-STAT3 collaborate to enhance signals that promote tumor growth and metastasis in advanced lung cancer cases. This clinical trial aims to harness that insight to create a more effective treatment pathway for patients.

CEO Olav Hellebø expressed enthusiasm for the advancement of Dr. Taverna's research into clinical application, emphasizing the trial's alignment with BerGenBio’s mission to address critical gaps in lung cancer treatment. Specifically, the study focuses on first-line therapies for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer patients with specific mutations in the STK11 gene, a demographic often deprived of effective treatment options.

The clinical trial is structured to evaluate the safety and efficacy of bemcentinib in conjunction with pacritinib— a JAK2 inhibitor known for its role in treating myelofibrosis, another serious hematological condition that occurs when abnormal blood cells interfere with normal blood cell production. The combination aims to explore new synergies in cancer treatment by blocking essential growth factors and cytokines that cancer cells exploit to thrive.

The significance of lung adenocarcinoma cannot be overstated; it represents the most prevalent kind of lung cancer in the U.S., accounting for approximately 40% of all lung cancer cases. As such, the clinical trial holds the promise not only for the patients enrolled but for the broader community of lung cancer survivors.

The research is funded through a grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), showcasing the partnership between academia, industry, and governmental institutions in combating cancer. This collaboration is vital for driving research that transforms laboratory findings into applicable treatment options.

This ongoing trial (NCT 06516887) adopts a Phase Ib/II structure and is designed to assess various doses of bemcentinib and pacritinib to ensure patient safety and determine the maximum tolerated doses during the initial phase. After establishing safety parameters, the Phase II portion will focus on evaluating the treatment's overall response rate and how long patients can live without the cancer progressing.

As BerGenBio continues with its mission, the company is guided by a singular goal: to develop transformative therapies that can fundamentally change the prognosis for patients battling aggressive diseases, including cancer. Bemcentinib, currently being tested for its AXL kinase inhibitory properties, stands out as a potentially first-in-class therapeutic agent.

For anyone seeking more information about BerGenBio and its innovative work in cancer treatments, the company maintains up-to-date resources and insights accessible at www.bergenbio.com.

As the trial progresses, there is hope that these efforts will yield fruitful results, not just for the participating patients but for the entire cancer community, leading to improved survival rates and quality of life for those diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma and related conditions.