Lilly, AZ in Immuno-oncology Alliance

Lilly and AstraZeneca have entered a clinical trial collaboration to evaluate the safety and efficacy of AstraZeneca’s investigational anti-PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitor, MEDI4736, in combination with CYRAMZA (ramucirumab), Lilly’s VEGF Receptor 2 antiangiogenic cancer drug, in patients with advanced solid tumors. The Phase I study is expected to establish a dosing regimen. The trial will be sponsored by Lilly. Additional details and financial terms were not disclosed.

MEDI4736 is a monoclonal antibody directed against programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1), which help tumors avoid detection by the immune system. Ramucirumab is a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) Receptor 2 antagonist that specifically binds and blocks activation of VEGF Receptor 2 by blocking the binding of VEGF receptor ligands. Preclinical data indicate the combination has the potential to enhance anti-tumor activity.

“The development of immune checkpoint inhibitors has been one of the more exciting research advancements in recent oncology history, but it is going to be even more interesting to see how these inhibitors can be combined with other proven targeted therapies,” said Richard Gaynor, M.D., senior vice president, product development and medical affairs, Lilly Oncology. “This collaboration represents the next wave of immuno-oncology research by bringing together two innovative medicines.”

Robert Iannone, head of immuno-oncology, global medicines development at AstraZeneca, said, “We believe that combination therapy in immuno-oncology has the potential to transform the way cancer is treated. Our collaboration with Lilly is a great addition to our program and provides the opportunity to explore another exciting, novel combination that could deliver important clinical benefit to cancer patients.”