Shares in Novocure (NSDQ:NVCR) are on the rise again after the company today cited additional data from a pivotal trial evaluating its Optune device with temozolomide chemotherapy as a treatment for newly-diagnosed glioblastoma.
Novocure’s Optune mobile device delivers low-intensity, intermediate frequency, alternating electric fields, called “tumor treating fields” or TTFields, to inhibit cancer cell replication.
The Jersey, U.K.-based company said a post-hoc analysis of the EF-14 study showed that a median overall survival rate for Optune-treated patients in combination with physician’s best-choice 2nd-line chemotherapy rose by 28%, compared to best-choice 2nd-line alone from 9.2 months to 11.8 months. Bevacizumab was the most-chosen 2nd-line treatment for both arms, Novocure said; the data showed that median overall survival for the Optune-bevacizumab group rose 31% compared with the control arm over the same period.
Earlier this month, Novocure shares jumped nearly 50% on 5-year data from the EF-14 trial. Data from 695 patients showed a consistent and maintained improvement in overall survival at 2, 3, 4 and 5 years, the company said.
“Taken in conjunction with the previously reported benefits with TTFields for newly diagnosed GBM in the EF-14 interim analysis, these results support the early initiation and continued use of Optune in combination with standard systemic therapies for the treatment of GBM,” trial investigator Dr. Santosh Kesari, of Santa Monica, Calif.’s Pacific Neuroscience Institute, said in prepared remarks. “The publication of these data adds to the growing body of evidence around Optune’s efficacy and supports the incorporation of Optune as a combination treatment for patients with glioblastoma.”
NVCR shares were up 4.3% to $10.90 apiece today in mid-morning trading.
