Array BioPharma reports top-line results from binimetinib Phase 3 trial in patients with NRAS-mutant melanoma

Array BioPharma (Nasdaq: ARRY) today reported top-line results from the ongoing Phase 3 clinical trial of binimetinib in patients with advanced NRAS-mutant melanoma, known as the NEMO trial. The study met its primary endpoint of improving progression-free survival (PFS) compared with dacarbazine treatment. The median PFS on the binimetinib arm was 2.8 months versus 1.5 months on the dacarbazine arm; hazard ratio (HR) 0.62, [95% CI 0.47-0.80], p < 0.001.

In the trial, binimetinib was generally well-tolerated and the adverse events reported were consistent with previous results in NRAS melanoma patients.

Array plans to submit binimetinib to regulatory authorities for marketing approval in NRAS-mutant melanoma during the first half of 2016. Results from the NEMO trial including progression free survival, overall survival, objective response rate, safety and prespecified subgroup analyses including outcomes in patients who received prior treatment with immunotherapy will be presented at a medical meeting in 2016.

"We are excited to announce positive results from the NEMO trial, which suggest binimetinib has the potential to provide an important new treatment option for patients with advanced NRAS melanoma," said Ron Squarer, Chief Executive Officer, Array BioPharma. "We look forward to discussing the data with the FDA and other regulatory agencies in the near future."

"The presence of an NRAS mutation is a poor prognostic indicator for patients with advanced melanoma," said Keith T. Flaherty, M.D., Associate Professor, Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Director of Developmental Therapeutics, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital. "I am encouraged the NEMO trial met its primary endpoint and look forward to sharing the full results soon. As the first targeted therapy with positive results in NRAS melanoma, binimetinib will be a welcome addition in this high unmet need population, especially for patients whose disease has progressed following treatment with immunotherapy."

Binimetinib is also being studied in the Phase 3 COLUMBUS trial for patients with BRAF-mutant melanoma and the Phase 3 MILO trial for patients with low grade serous ovarian cancer, as well as in several other earlier stage clinical trials.