BERKELEY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Plexxikon Inc. announces that enrollment has been initiated and the first patient has been dosed in a pivotal Phase 3 trial of PLX4032 (RG7204) in patients with metastatic melanoma. PLX4032 is a novel, oral and highly targeted drug that is designed to inhibit the BRAF cancer-causing mutation that occurs in about 50 percent of melanomas and about eight percent of all solid tumors. The randomized, controlled, Phase 3 “BRAF Inhibitor in Melanoma” (BRIM3) trial in previously untreated patients is part of the planned registration program for PLX4032. The initiation of the Phase 3 trial has triggered a significant milestone payment to Plexxikon from Roche, its co-development partner, under their 2006 collaboration agreement. Plexxikon also is entitled to receive additional payments for further milestone achievements as well as royalties on sales of PLX4032. A Phase 2 trial (BRIM2) in previously treated melanoma patients was initiated in September 2009, with enrollment ongoing.
