Daijiworld Media Network – Berlin

Berlin, Sep 5: German Covid-19 vaccine maker BioNTech SE has reported a breakthrough in breast cancer treatment, with its experimental drug outperforming Roche’s therapy Kadcyla in a late-stage clinical trial.

The trial, conducted in China with 228 patients, tested the new drug developed in partnership with Chinese biotech firm Duality Biotherapeutics Inc. against patients whose cancer had spread or who were ineligible for surgery after prior chemotherapy and trastuzumab (Herceptin). BioNTech said patients on the new drug were less likely to see their cancer worsen or to die, with results emerging from an interim analysis before the scheduled completion.

This marks BioNTech’s first late-stage success in oncology and the first potential regulatory pathway for its cancer portfolio. Cancer therapies have been identified as a cornerstone of BioNTech’s future growth beyond its pandemic-era vaccine revenues with Pfizer Inc.

Duality Biotherapeutics, known for its work in antibody-drug conjugates, has also secured partnerships with GSK Plc and Avenzo Therapeutics Inc. Its stock, listed in Hong Kong in April, has surged over 280%, driven by optimism around overseas collaborations and milestone payments.