Firm OK's interim analysis of cancer study

Point Therapeutics Inc. said today that its board of directors approved an "unscheduled interim analysis" of a potential lung cancer study.

The Boston-based pharmaceutical company said its board approved an analysis on the Phase 3 non-small cell lung cancer study of talabostat in combination with pemetrexed.

To date, about 360 patients with advanced lung cancer have enrolled in the study; the interim analysis will examine approximately 150 events that have already been recorded in this study, with "events being defined as either disease progression or death," the company said.

"We felt that it was important to have controlled data at this time in order to properly assist us in our ongoing strategic and business initiatives," chief executive Don Kiepert said in a statement.
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)