Bayer's Nexavar fails phase III lung cancer trial

Bayer and Onyx Pharmaceuticals said their Nexavar cancer drug did not help prolong the lives of lung cancer patients in a late-stage trial. The Phase III study showed that the Nexavar pill did not improve overall survival when used as an initial treatment to combat non-small cell lung cancer, the two companies said in a statement on Monday.

Nexavar used in combination with chemotherapy was compared with using chemotherapy and placebo, they added.

Bayer said it will continue to explore the use of Nexavar against lung cancer, which is the most common and most deadly form of cancer.