Mersana falls as FDA halts enrollment in cancer drug studies

Mersana Therapeutics

15/06/2023 15:26

(Updates)
    ** Shares of drug developer Mersana Therapeutics  MRSN.O 
down ~58% at $4
        ** Stock top pct. loser across U.S. stock exchanges 
  
    ** U.S. FDA pauses enrollment in two studies of its ovarian
cancer drug after five deaths in bleeding-related events 
    ** A total of 560 patients are dosed with upifitamab
rilsodotin (UpRi) to date, and co says the causes of bleeding
events remain under investigation
    ** Patients who are already enrolled in the studies will
continue to receive the treatment - company
    ** Co says it expects the FDA to ask for a comprehensive
assessment of the safety data of UpRi, its lead drug 
    ** "Work is now underway to compile further analyses that
may inform FDA," Mersana CEO Anna Protopapas says 
        ** UpRi is also being tested in another ovarian cancer
study, which has already completed enrollment, and data from it
is expected in August 
  
    ** Including session's fall, stock lost ~31% YTD

 (Reporting by Pratik Jain in Bengaluru)
 ((Pratik.Jain@thomsonreuters.com;))