Schrödinger Halts Leukemia Drug After Two Trial Deaths

Schrödinger Inc. has terminated development of its experimental leukemia therapy SGR-2921 after the drug was linked to two treatment-related deaths in a Phase 1 dose-escalation trial for patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia and high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes. The New York–based company said the fatalities, combined with the overall safety profile observed to date, made further study—including as part of a combination regimen—untenable despite early signs of clinical activity. “Patient safety is our first priority, and in light of two treatment-related deaths, we have made the decision to discontinue further development of SGR-2921,” Chief Medical Officer Margaret Dugan said in a statement. Schrödinger’s shares fell roughly 17 percent in pre-market trading following the announcement. The company said it will continue to pursue its remaining oncology pipeline, including the MALT1 inhibitor SGR-1505, now in Phase 1 for B-cell lymphomas, and the Wee1/Myt1 inhibitor SGR-3515 in early testing for solid tumors.