Pierre Fabre and Array Biopharma Offer Treatment Option That Increases Cancer Survival Odds

Pierre Fabre and Array BioPharma's interim analysis results from their joint research on BRAF-mutant metastatic colorectal cancer were presented at the 21st World Gastrointestinal Cancer Congress organized by the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) in Barcelona, Spain in recent days. In their presentation at the congress, Pierre Fabre and Array BioPharma shared that the triple combination of encorafenib, binimetinib and cetuximab in the Phase 3 BEACON CRC study showed a statistically significant increase in overall survival (OS) rates in BRAF-mutant metastatic colorectal cancer. These data also support the potential of this triple combination as the first chemotherapy-free, targeted therapy option for patients with BRAF-mutant mCRC. Based on interim analysis results of the Phase 3 BEACON CRC study evaluating the combination of encorafenib, a BRAF inhibitor, binimetinib, a MEK inhibitor, and cetuximab, an anti-EGFR antibody (Encorafenib Triple), in patients with advanced BRAF^V600E-mutant metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) who had received one or two prior treatments, patients with BRAF-mutant mCRC treated with the Encorafenib Triple combination demonstrated statistically significant improvement in overall survival (OS) (9.0 months versus 5.4 months, hazard ratio [HR]: 0.52, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.39–0.70, p<0.0001) and objective response rate (ORR) (26.1% versus 1.9%, p<0.0001, as assessed by Blinded Independent Central Review [BICR]) compared to regimens containing cetuximab plus irinotecan (Control). Median progression-free survival (mPFS) for patients treated with Encorafenib Triple was 4.3 months compared to 1.5 months observed in the Control arm (HR: 0.38, 95% CI: 0.29–0.49, p<0.0001).

Pierre Fabre Medicament Global Chief Executive Officer Jean-Luc Lowinski:

"We are pleased with the positive and significant results from the interim analysis of the BEACON CRC study. With each passing day, we better understand the potential of encorafenib and binimetinib in combination with cetuximab for patients with BRAF-mutant mCRC. These data, showing a 48% reduction in risk of death compared to the Control arm, add to mounting clinical evidence supporting Encorafenib Triple as a much-needed new standard of care," he said.

Principal Investigator of the BEACON CRC study and Director of the Vall d'Hebron Oncology Institute in Barcelona, Spain, Doctor of Medicine and Science Josep Tabernero:

"These initial results from the BEACON CRC study are being received with considerable enthusiasm by the oncology community seeking effective new treatment options for their patients. These results show significant progress compared to options currently available for these patients. This combination could potentially be a first in specifically targeting BRAF mutations and changing routine clinical practice," he stated.