Ignyta Inc. said its investigational drug entrectinib showed "compelling durability" in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Based on an interim analysis, 78% of the 32 ROS1 fusion-positive lung cancer patients enrolled in the STARTRK-2 study saw their tumors shrink as confirmed by the trial's investigator. A blinded independent central review placed the figure at 69%.

Additionally, patients had a median duration of response of 28.6 months and a median progression-free survival of 29.6 months before their disease worsened.

Entrectinib's safety profile remained consistent with previous results.

Ignyta said it is on track to submit entrectinib for regulatory approval in treating ROS1 fusion-positive advanced non-small cell lung cancer as well as NTRK-positive solid tumors in 2018.