AstraZeneca and Lilly Extend Immuno-Oncology Pact with New Combination Therapies

AstraZeneca and Eli Lilly have agreed to further expand their existing immuno-oncology collaboration, which focuses on new combination therapies for solid tumors. Under the terms of the expanded agreement, AstraZeneca and Lilly will evaluate the safety and efficacy of a range of additional combinations across the companies’ complementary portfolios. Lilly will head the execution of the evaluation studies. Both parties will contribute on resources. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Trials will evaluate AstraZeneca’s anti-PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitor, durvalumab (MEDI4736), used in combination with Lilly molecules that target the immune system-TGF-beta kinase inhibitor, galunisertib; CXCR4 peptide antagonist; and anti-CSF-1R monoclonal antibody (which will be assessed additionally with AstraZeneca’s anti-CTLA-4 monoclonal antibody, tremelimumab).

The companies will also explore other combinations targeting tumor drivers and resistance mechanisms, including-Lilly’s abemaciclib (CDK4 and 6 small molecule inhibitor) with AstraZeneca’s marketed selective estrogen receptor down regulator, Faslodex; and both Cyramza (ramucirumab) and necitumumab, Lilly’s anti-VEGFR and anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies respectively, used with AstraZeneca’s investigational third generation EGFR inhibitor, AZD9291.

In May 2015, AstraZeneca and Lilly announced a Phase I clinical trial collaboration to evaluate the safety and preliminary efficacy of combining durvalumab and ramucirumab as a treatment for patients with advanced solid tumors.

Source: AstraZeneca