Pfizer, Merck and Syndax in ovarian cancer trial collaboration
pharmafile | January 5, 2016 | News story | Manufacturing and Production, Research and Development | Merck, Pfizer, Syndax Pharmaceuticals, avelumab, entinostat, ovarian cancer
Pfizer, Merck and Syndax Pharmaceuticals have announced a collaboration to test avelumab, in combination with Syndax’s entinostat, in patients with ovarian cancer.
The exclusive agreement between the companies will study the combination of the two investigational agents in ovarian cancer, with Massachusetts-based Syndax responsible for conducting the Phase Ib/II clinical trial. The companies did not disclose the financial terms of the agreement.
Avelumab (MSB0010718C) is an investigational anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody. It is thought to enable the activation of T-cells and the adaptive immune system, and is currently being tested across a broad range of tumour types in the JAVELIN trial programme by the Merck/Pfizer alliance. Syndax’s drug is an investigational oral small molecule that the company believes can boost the immune system’s ability to fight tumours.
“This collaboration with Syndax adds a new dimension to our quest to pursue combination immuno-oncology regimens based on compelling preclinical rationale and the potential to generate clinical results superior to those achieved with either agent alone,” says Dr Mace Rothenberg, senior vice president of clinical development and medical affairs and chief medical officer for Pfizer Oncology.
“Combination therapy is the next frontier in immuno-oncology and a key strategy for the alliance,” adds Dr Luciano Rossetti, head of global research and development of the biopharma business of Merck KGaA. “Avelumab as a monotherapy has already shown promising early activity in ovarian cancer in a Phase Ib trial, and through our ongoing research and this collaboration with Syndax, we will hopefully be able to make a real difference to women fighting this complex cancer.”
Syndax’s chief executive, Dr Briggs Morrison, comments: “We are delighted to be working with the alliance to explore the potential benefits of entinostat in combination with avelumab for ovarian cancer patients. The continued interest from leading companies in investigating the potential of entinostat in combination with checkpoint inhibitors reflects positively on the potential mechanism of action of the molecule, and also reinforces our clinical strategy to explore entinostat for the benefit of patients across a broad range of solid tumour indications.”
Since leaving AstraZeneca last year to take up the chief executive job at Syndax, Morrison has also overseen tie-ins of entinostat with Roche’s atezolizumab and Merck’s Keytruda.
Last month, the Merck/Pfizer alliance advanced the JAVELIN trial programme for avelumab, announcing the opening of Phase III trial sites for the drug as a monotherapy in ovarian cancer, as well as bladder cancer. The companies are targeting a commercial launch for avelumab in 2017, and launches in an additional indication every year until 2022.
Joel Levy
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