By Ben Hirschler
LONDON, Feb 5 (Reuters) - Two high-risk bets byGlaxoSmithKline on new ways to fight heart disease andcancer were dealt a double blow last year by dud clinical trials- but the company remains hopeful about both projects.
Chief Executive Andrew Witty said on Wednesday there werestill "intriguing" opportunities for its heart drug darapladiband MAGE-A3 therapeutic cancer vaccine.
Many analysts stripped out forecasts for darapladib, whichis designed to prevent heart attacks and strokes in a completelydifferent way from cholesterol-lowering drugs, after it failedto reduce risks in the first of two big final Phase III trialsin November.
GSK, however, is continuing to investigate the drug's rolein coronary heart disease and Witty told analysts in a callfollowing full-year results that further data on the approachwould be presented at a medical meeting next month.
He was also upbeat about prospects for the MAGE-A3 cancervaccine in other tumour settings, despite initial negativeresults in melanoma in September.
Unlike traditional preventative vaccines, MAGE-A3 isdesigned for people with established disease, helping theirimmune systems to prevent the return of tumours after surgery.
In fact the head of Britain's biggest drugmaker said bothdarapladib and MAGE-3 were among the most promising drugs in thecompany's pipeline.
He also highlighted a new triple combination respiratorydrug, a long-acting integrase inhibitor for HIV and a drug forpre-term labour, all of which could start final Phase IIIclinical testing this year or next.