LONDON (dpa-AFX) - British drugmaker AstraZeneca Plc (AZN.L, AZN) Wednesday announced that ts global biologics research and development arm, MedImmune, has entered into a clinical study collaboration with biopharmaceutical company Incyte Corp. (INCY).
The company said the Phase I/II oncology study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of MedImmune's investigational anti-PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitor, MEDI4736, in combination with Incyte's oral indoleamine dioxygenase-1 (IDO1) inhibitor, INCB24360.
Both MEDI4736 and INCB24360 are investigational compounds that are part of a new class of cancer treatments known as immunotherapies, which use the body's own immune system to help fight cancer, the company noted.
Preclinical evidence suggests that the combination of these two agents may lead to an enhanced anti-tumour immune response.
Under the deal terms, MedImmune and Incyte will collaborate on a non-exclusive basis on the study, to evaluate the combination in multiple solid tumours including metastatic melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck and pancreatic cancer.
The Phase I part of the trial is expected to establish a recommended dose regimen of both MEDI4736 and INCB24360 and the Phase II part of the study will assess the safety and efficacy of the combination.
AstraZeneca noted that results from the study will be used to determine whether further clinical development of this combination is warranted. The study will be co-funded equally by Incyte and MedImmune and conducted by Incyte.
Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX