Imugene (ASX:IMU) has announced a new supply agreement with Pfizer and Merck for a trial involving their PBS-listed PD-L1 BAVENCIO (avelumab).
Imugene is studying BAVENCIO in combination with its B-cell activating immunotherapy, HER-Vaxx, in patients with HER-2 positive gastric cancer.
The neoHERIZON study is an open-label, multi-centre, randomised, Phase 2 clinical trial designed to assess the safety and efficacy of perioperative HER-Vaxx combined with chemotherapy with or without BAVENCIO compared to chemotherapy alone in patients with HER-2 positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinomas.
The study’s primary endpoint is pathologic complete response. Secondary endpoints include safety and biomarker evaluation.
“Imugene is excited to announce this collaboration with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany and Pfizer. HER-Vaxx has shown a tolerable safety profile and encouraging efficacy in patients with metastatic HER-2 positive gastric cancer, and we are looking forward to evaluating HER-Vaxx with avelumab in the perioperative clinical setting,” said Leslie Chong, the managing director and CEO of Imugene. “Working together, we’re committed to finding ways to address the unmet needs of patients living with cancer.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Imugene will be the study sponsor. Merck and Pfizer will provide BAVENCIO for the duration of the study.