Merck announces Phase 3 trial initiation for Bomedemstat

The initiation of a second Phase 3 clinical trial for bomedemstat demonstrates company’s commitment to advancing research in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs)

Merck today announced the initiation of Shorespan-007, a pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating bomedemstat, an investigational orally available lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) inhibitor, for the treatment of patients with essential thrombocythemia (ET) who have previously not received cytoreductive therapy. Essential thrombocythemia is a chronic, rare blood disorder and is the most common type of myeloproliferative neoplasm. Global recruitment of the Shorespan-007 trial has begun, with patients now enrolling.

“The standard of care in essential thrombocythemia has remained unchanged for decades, and patients are in need of new options that have the potential to not only improve disease control, but also improve their quality of life,” said Dr. Gregory Lubiniecki, vice president, global clinical development, Merck Research Laboratories. “We are rapidly advancing our clinical development programs with the goal of helping to address these unmet needs and bring more options to patients living with myeloproliferative neoplasms.”

Shorespan-007 is a Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, active comparator-controlled clinical trial ( NCT06456346 ) evaluating bomedemstat compared to the current standard of care chemotherapy, hydroxyurea, for treatment of patients with ET who have previously not received cytoreductive therapy.

Bomedemstat has U.S. Food and Drug Administration Orphan Drug and Fast Track Designations for the treatment of ET and myelofibrosis (MF), Orphan Drug Designation for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia and Priority Medicines scheme designation by the European Medicines Agency for the treatment of MF.