US-based biotechnology companies Exelixis and MSD have partnered to assess the potential of combining their respective cancer therapies in upcoming trials.
The partners will focus on evaluating Exelixis’ zanzalintinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, alongside MSD’s anti-PD-1 therapy KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) in a Phase III trial for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
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They will also test zanzalintinib in combination with MSD’s HIF-2α inhibitor WELIREG (belzutifan) in a Phase I/II trial and two Phase III trials for renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
MSD will provide KEYTRUDA for the Exelixis-sponsored Phase III STELLAR-305 trial in PD-L1 positive recurrent or metastatic HNSCC patients.
The company will also sponsor the Phase I/II trial and two Phase III trials in RCC, with one of the Phase III studies being funded by MSD and the remaining trials co-funded by Exelixis.
Merck Research Laboratories global clinical development oncology senior vice-president and head Dr Marjorie Green said: “We look forward to working with our colleagues at Exelixis to advance these clinical trials.
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By GlobalData“Merck remains committed to building upon the progress made to date by strategically evaluating the potential of new combination regimens to improve outcomes for more patients.”
Exelixis will also contribute zanzalintinib and cabozantinib for the trials, retaining all worldwide commercial and marketing rights to zanzalintinib.
Exelixis product development and medical affairs executive vice-president and chief medical officer Amy Peterson said: “This collaboration underscores our belief in zanzalintinib’s potential to drive patient benefit in combination with immunotherapy or targeted therapy in HNSCC and RCC indications that have unmet clinical need.
“KEYTRUDA and WELIREG are approved therapies that have led to improved outcomes for some cancer patients, and we are pleased to collaborate with Merck’s clinical development organisation to evaluate the potential of these therapies in combination with zanzalintinib.
“This collaboration paves the way for further zanzalintinib development in RCC in a pragmatic manner.”
