IO Biotech, Merck to Evaluate KEYTRUDA Combo in NSCLC

IO Biotech, a clinical-stage biopharma company developing immune modulating anti-cancer therapies, has entered into a collaborative agreement with Merck focused on the clinical evaluation of IO102 with KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).  

IO Biotech’s lead candidate, IO102, is an IDO-derived immune modulating therapy with dual mode of action killing both cancer and immune-suppressive cells. The company’s immune modulating therapies have previously shown a favorable safety profile and signs of promising anti-tumor activity in a first in man trial of heavily pre-treated patients with NSCLC.  

IO Biotech will conduct an international Phase 1/2 study to evaluate the combination. Biomarker studies will also be conducted. The clinical trials will be sponsored by IO Biotech and Merck will provide KEYTRUDA. The rights to the study results will be shared. IO Biotech will maintain global commercial rights to IO102.

“We believe there is a strong mechanistic rationale to explore the combination of an IDO-derived immune modulating therapy, anti-PD-1 antibody and chemotherapy and are very excited to be able to test this in a first-line treatment setting of patients suffering from metastatic non-small cell lung cancer,” said Mai-Britt Zocca, PhD, chief executive officer and founder of IO Biotech. “Through this collaboration, we expect to get a diverse set of clinical data to understand the potential of IO102 to improve durability and response rates in combination with one of the leading treatments within immuno-oncology.”