Merus N.V....announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation (BTD) for zenocutuzumab (Zeno) for the treatment of patients with advanced unresectable or metastatic NRG1 fusion (NRG1+) pancreatic cancer following progression with prior systemic therapy or who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options.

...- Locally-advanced unresectable or metastatic solid tumor malignancy with documented NRG1 gene fusion, identified through molecular assays such as next generation sequencing-based assays [DNA or RNA], as routinely performed at CLIA or other similarly-certified laboratories....

...- Patient with advanced metastatic solid tumor with documented NRG1 fusion determined in a qualified local laboratory by molecular profiling using methods such as next generation sequencing [DNA or RNA] or FISH as routinely performed at CLIA or other similarly-certified laboratories....

Among the 71 pts with measurable disease, the INV-assessed confirmed ORR was 34% (90% CI, 25;44), including responses in NSCLC (35%; 14/40 pts), pancreas cancer (39%; 7/18 pts), breast cancer (2/4 pts), and cholangiocarcinoma (1/3 pts). Responses occurred at the first tumor assessment in 20/24 responders, and are ongoing in 13 pts....Zeno demonstrated robust and durable efficacy in pts with advanced NRG1+ cancer regardless of tumor histology.