Pfizer And Merck Link In Anti-Cancer Combo Trial

Pfizer and Merck announced that they have signed into an agreement to jointly investigate the effects of combining Pfizer’s Xalkori (crizotinib) and Merck’s candidate anti-PD-1 antibody pembrolizumab in a Phase IB ALK-positive advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) clinical trial.

Xalkori is a kinase inhibitor approved for the treatment of metastatic NSCLC for patients whose tumors are anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive. Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) is an investigational monoclonal, humanized anti-PD-1 antibody designed to reactivate patients’ anti-tumor immunity.

The combination therapy will be evaluated in an open-label, multicenter clinical study scheduled to launch in 2015. Pfizer will be responsible for leading the study. No financial terms of the agreement were disclosed by either company.

Dr. Mace Rothenberg, SVP of Clinical Development and Medical Affairs and CMO for Pfizer Oncology, said, “Understanding the effects of combining one drug, Xalkori, which inhibits an abnormally activated enzyme in patients with ALK-positive metastatic lung cancer, with the investigational drug, pembrolizumab, which harnesses the body’s immune system to fight cancer, is vital if we are to continue to advance the care of lung cancer patients.”

Dr. Eric Rubin, VP of Oncology at Merck Research Laboratories, said, “We are pleased to build upon our ongoing collaboration with Pfizer to evaluate potential combination regimens incorporating Merck’s investigational immunotherapy pembrolizumab. Evidence from early studies of pembrolizumab monotherapy together with Xalkori’s proven targeted therapeutic approach provides the scientific rationale for evaluating this combination for the treatment of lung cancer.”

The two big pharma companies collaborated earlier this year on drug combination oncology studies, as well as a study investigating diabetes treatments. In February, Merck agreed to combine its anti-PD-1 therapy MK-3475 with two of Pfizer’s oncology assets in a Phase I/II clinical study. This April, Pfizer agreed to co-develop its investigational Type 2 diabetes drug with Merck in combination with other drugs, including Merck’s Januvia.