InterMune has announced that it is discontinuing its Phase III trial of Actimmune in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. According to the study's IDMC, the patients receiving Actimmune did not survive longer than those on placebo. The company's shares took a tumble after the news was announced.
"The interim results of the INSPIRE trial and our decision to discontinue the trial are disappointing," said Steve Porter, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer at InterMune. "We are extremely grateful for the strong support we received from physicians, healthcare providers and especially the patients who participated in the clinical evaluation of Actimmune(R). The overall conduct of the study by investigators and the participation by patients were exemplary."
- see InterMune's press release for more