AbbVie announced that MERU, a Phase 3 trial evaluating Rova-T as a first-line maintenance therapy for advanced small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), demonstrated no survival benefit at a pre-planned interim analysis for patients receiving Rova-T as compared with placebo. Due to this, the MERU trial is being closed, and the Rova-T research and development program has been terminated. 
 
Moving forward, AbbVie will continue to focus research and development efforts on other therapies in its oncology portfolio of investigational and marketed medicines. 
 
“Small-cell lung cancer continues to be one of the most difficult-to-treat cancers where there is a significant need for transformative therapies. We are disappointed with this outcome for the patients who suffer from this disease,” said Margaret Foley, M.D., vice president, global head of solid tumor development, AbbVie. “We remain committed to researching and developing other therapies with the potential to transform care for patients with small-cell lung cancer and other malignancies.”