Inherited breast cancer is one of the conditions that thousands of young women have to live with due to the BRCA gene. However, the problem may now be mitigated thanks to AstraZeneca plc (ADR)(NYSE:AZN) drug Lynparza, which according to data from a late-stage trial presented a delayed disease progression rate. The study of 302 patients’ involved a comparison of oral treatment Lynparza with standard chemotherapy whereby those who used the former experienced significant tumor shrinkage of about 60%.
Mutations in the BRCA gene are responsible for close to 3% of all breast cancers. Apparently, a majority of those who have mutated BRCA genes opt for double mastectomies, which is likely to reduce the risk of cancer spreading. Among the many that have opted for a mastectomy is actress Angelina Jolie.
The results were encouraging for investors
The study participants who were receiving Lynparza had their disease advance after about seven months. Close to 9% of them experienced an exclusive response rate against the 2% who used chemotherapy. Lynparza’s results will play a significant role in convincing investors that the other drugs within it, Zejula and Rubraca, will get approved.
Deputy Chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society, Len Lichtenfeld quoted “This represents a real improvement in the care of women. Not only are the responses better, the quality of life is better as well, which should always be an important part of the conversation.”
But does Lynparza have a competitive edge?
Lynparza was originally approved to treat ovarian tumors. The drug generated close to $218 million in sales last year. Timothy Anderson a Research analyst says this is likely to grow to $684 million by 2020. However, the question is, does it have a competitive edge in a field that has become so hot? TESARO Inc (NASDAQ:TSRO) and Clovis Oncology Inc (NASDAQ:CLVS) are quickly coming up and their shares have been risen more than 200% over the past 12 months.
Lynparza was originally approved for ovarian tumors and it is one of a much-watched class of medicines called PARP inhibitors. Nonetheless, there is all the need for an expanded research even though the company says it expects to have the drug approved towards the end of this year. Meanwhile AstraZeneca stock was trading at $35.11 witnessing an increase of $0.30 or 0.86%.
