Man missing as Switzerland village submerged by glacier debris
Water trapped behind a mass of glacial debris that this week buried a village and blocked a river in southern Switzerland has sparked warnings that further evacuations may be needed amid the risk of flooding in the Alpine valley.
A deluge of millions of cubic metres of ice, mud and rock crashed down a mountain on Wednesday, engulfing the village of Blatten, and the few houses that remained later flooded.
Its 300 residents had been evacuated earlier in May after part of the mountain behind the Birch Glacier began to crumble.
Flooding increased on Thursday as the mound of debris almost 2km across clogged the path of the River Lonza, causing a lake to form amid the wreckage, raising fears that the morass could dislodge and trigger more evacuations.
Late on Thursday, local authorities urged residents in Gampel and Steg, villages several kilometres further along the Lonza Valley, to prepare for possible evacuation in case of emergency.
The army is standing by with water pumps, diggers and other heavy equipment to provide relief when conditions allow.
Rescue teams have been looking for a 64-year-old man missing since the landslide.
Local authorities suspended the search on Thursday afternoon, saying the debris mounds were too unstable for now, and warning of further rockfalls.
Residents have struggled to absorb the scale of destruction caused by the deluge, an event that scientists suspect is a dramatic example of the impact of climate change in the Alps.
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Zai Lab and Novocure Announce Results From the Phase 3 PANOVA-3 Trial of Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) Therapy for Pancreatic Cancer to be Presented at 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting
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"The data presented today from the PANOVA-3 trial of Tumor Treating Fields show a clinically meaningful and statistically significant improvement in overall survival for people with locally advanced pancreatic cancer," said Vincent Picozzi, MD, MMM, medical oncologist and investigator in the PANOVA-3 trial. "Importantly, we also saw an extension in the duration of time before pain progressed. Pain is a hallmark of this disease, and as a clinician, the potential of this therapy to address this aspect of pancreatic cancer is very encouraging. These results illustrate the potential of Tumor Treating Fields therapy concomitant with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel to become a standard of care for unresectable, locally advanced pancreatic cancer." The Phase 3 PANOVA-3 trial evaluated the use of TTFields therapy concomitantly with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel as a first-line treatment for unresectable, locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma compared to gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel alone. The trial met its primary endpoint, demonstrating a statistically significant improvement in median overall survival (mOS) for patients treated with TTFields. "The encouraging data from the Phase 3 PANOVA-3 study demonstrate a meaningful improvement in outcomes for patients with unresectable, locally advanced pancreatic cancer—including pain reduction and a statistically significant improvement in overall survival," said Rafael Amado, M.D., President, Head of Global Research and Development at Zai Lab. "Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most challenging cancers to treat globally, with approximately 134,000 new cases diagnosed annually in China alone. Zai Lab participated in this trial and looks forward to continuing our collaboration with Novocure to bring this innovative therapy to patients in China as quickly as possible." "Most people with pancreatic cancer are diagnosed with advanced disease, which is very difficult to treat and only about 1 in 10 people are alive five years after diagnosis," said Nicolas Leupin, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer, Novocure. "The results shared today at ASCO and in the Journal of Clinical Oncology demonstrate that Tumor Treating Fields therapy improved overall survival and pain-free survival in unresectable, locally advanced pancreatic cancer. We plan to submit these data to the FDA in the second half of 2025 to support a premarket approval for Tumor Treating Fields therapy." Results from PANOVA-3 In the intent-to-treat population, patients treated with TTFields therapy concomitantly with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel had an mOS of 16.2 months compared to 14.2 months for patients treated with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel alone, a statistically significant 2.0-month improvement [hazard ratio (HR) 0.82; p=0.039 (N=571)]. TTFields therapy concomitant with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel demonstrated improvement in several secondary endpoints including the one-year survival rate and pain-free survival. Pancreatic cancer can cause significant pain as the disease progresses and managing pain is a key clinical challenge. The one-year survival rate showed a statistically significant improvement in the TTFields concomitant with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel treated group with 68.1% [95% CI: 62.0–73.5] compared to those who received gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel alone, 60.2% [95% CI: 54.2–65.7], p=0.029. 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Data Presentation & Publication Details The PANOVA-3 data, (LBA 3500) Phase 3 study of Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel for locally advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (LA-PAC), will be presented today by Dr. Picozzi in Hall D1 during the 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. Gastrointestinal Cancer—Gastroesophageal, Pancreatic, and Hepatobiliary oral session. The Phase 3 PANOVA-3 publication in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Tumor Treating Fields with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel for locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma: randomized, open-label, pivotal phase 3 PANOVA-3 study, will be available online at Novocure Investor Event Novocure will host an investor event featuring Dr. Picozzi and Novocure leadership after the oral presentation. 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About PANOVA-3 PANOVA-3 is an international prospective, randomized, open-label, controlled Phase 3 clinical trial designed to test the efficacy and safety of Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) therapy used concomitantly with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel, as a first-line treatment for locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Patients were randomized to receive either TTFields therapy concomitant with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel or gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel alone. The primary endpoint is overall survival. Secondary endpoints include progression-free survival, local progression-free survival, objective response rate, one-year survival rate, quality of life, pain-free survival, puncture-free survival, resectability rate, and toxicity. The PANOVA-3 trial enrolled 571 patients who were randomized 1:1 and followed for a minimum of 18 months. About PANOVA-4 PANOVA-4 is an international, multi-center, Phase 2 clinical trial designed to test the safety and efficacy of Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) therapy together with atezolizumab, gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel for the treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer. The primary endpoint is disease control rate. Secondary endpoints include overall survival, progression-free survival, one-year survival rate, objective response rate, progression-free survival at six months, duration of response, and toxicity. The study is designed to enroll 76 patients and enrollment is complete. About Pancreatic Cancer in China Pancreatic cancer is one of the most common and deadliest cancers globally. In China, there were an estimated 134,374 new cases in 2022, and it is now the eighth most common cancer type1. The current median survival of patients with locally advanced, unresectable pancreatic cancer is nine to twelve months, and the five-year survival rate was 7.2%2, making it the malignancy with the lowest survival rate in China. 1 Xia C, Dong X, Li H et al. Cancer statistics in China and United States, 2022: profiles, trends, and determinants. Chin Med J (Engl) 2022; 135: 584-590. 2 Hu JX, Zhao CF, Chen WB et al. Pancreatic cancer: A review of epidemiology, trend, and risk factors. World J Gastroenterol 2021; 27: 4298-4321. About Tumor Treating Fields Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) are electric fields that exert physical forces to kill cancer cells via a variety of mechanisms. TTFields do not significantly affect healthy cells because they have different properties (including division rate, morphology, and electrical properties) than cancer cells. These multiple, distinct mechanisms work together to target and kill cancer cells. Due to these multimechanistic actions, TTFields therapy can be added to cancer treatment modalities in approved indications and demonstrates enhanced effects across solid tumor types when used with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immune checkpoint inhibition, or targeted therapies in preclinical models. TTFields therapy provides clinical versatility that has the potential to help address treatment challenges across a range of solid tumors. To learn more about TTFields therapy and its multifaceted effect on cancer cells, visit About Zai Lab Zai Lab is an innovative, research-based, commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company based in China and the United States. We are focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing innovative products that address medical conditions with significant unmet needs in the areas of oncology, immunology, neuroscience and infectious disease. Our goal is to leverage our competencies and resources to positively impact human health worldwide. For additional information about Zai Lab, please visit or follow us at , About Novocure Novocure is a global oncology company working to extend survival in some of the most aggressive forms of cancer through the development and commercialization of its innovative therapy, Tumor Treating Fields. Novocure's commercialized products are approved in certain countries for the treatment of adult patients with glioblastoma, non-small cell lung cancer, malignant pleural mesothelioma and pleural mesothelioma. Novocure has several additional ongoing or completed clinical trials exploring the use of Tumor Treating Fields therapy in the treatment of glioblastoma, non-small cell lung cancer and pancreatic cancer. Novocure's global headquarters is located in Baar, Switzerland, with U.S. headquarters located in Portsmouth, New Hampshire and research and development facilities located in Haifa, Israel. For additional information about the company, please visit and follow @Novocure on LinkedIn and Twitter. Zai Lab Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements about future expectations, plans, and prospects for Zai Lab, including, without limitation, statements regarding the prospects of and plans for developing and commercializing TTFields therapy, the potential benefits of TTFields therapy, and the potential treatment of pancreatic cancer. These forward-looking statements may contain words such as "aim," "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "goal," "intend," "may," "plan," "possible," "potential," "will," "would," and other similar expressions. Such statements constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are not statements of historical fact or guarantees or assurances of future performance. Forward-looking statements are based on our expectations and assumptions as of the date of this press release and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks, and changes in circumstances that may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including but not limited to (1) our ability to successfully commercialize and generate revenue from our approved products, (2) our ability to obtain funding for our operations and business initiatives, (3) the results of clinical and pre-clinical development of our product candidates, (4) the content and timing of decisions made by the relevant regulatory authorities regarding regulatory approvals of our product candidates, (5) risks related to doing business in China, and (6) other factors identified in our most recent annual and quarterly reports and in other reports we have filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). We anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause our expectations and assumptions to change, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required by law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Our SEC filings can be found on our website at and the SEC's website at View source version on Contacts For more information, please contact: Zai Lab Investor Relations: Christine Chiou / Lina Zhang+1 (917) 886-6929 / +86 136 8257 / Zai Lab Media: Shaun Maccoun / Xiaoyu Chen+1 (857) 270-8854 / +86 185 0015 / Novocure Investors: Ingrid Goldberginvestorinfo@ Novocure Media: Catherine Falcettimedia@
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