On September 14, 2021 IO Biotech, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel, immune-modulating cancer therapies based on its T-win technology platform, reported that it has entered into a clinical trial collaboration and supply agreement with Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA (known as MSD outside the US and Canada), through a subsidiary (Press release, IO Biotech, SEP 14, 2021, View Source [SID1234587693]). The purpose of the collaboration is to evaluate IO Biotech’s lead candidate, IO102-IO103, in combination with KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), MSD’s anti-PD-1 (programmed death receptor-1) therapy, in patients with previously untreated, unresectable or metastatic (advanced) melanoma. IO102-IO103 is an investigational cancer vaccine designed to target the immunosuppressive mechanisms mediated by key immunosuppressive proteins such as Indoleamine 2,3-dehydrogenase (IDO) and PD-L1.
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"We are pleased to collaborate with MSD to study the potential of our IDO and PD-L1 derived immune-modulating therapy in combination with KEYTRUDA as part of our broad, late-stage development program," said Mai-Britt Zocca, PhD, CEO and founder of IO Biotech. "Although therapies are available to treat metastatic melanoma, the clinical outcomes for patients with advanced disease remain poor and novel therapeutic options are desperately needed. We look forward to expanding our data set on IO102-IO103 with KEYTRUDA combination results, which we believe will support the potential approval of IO102-IO103 as a first-line therapy for melanoma and other difficult-treat-cancers."
The planned Phase 3 trial will be an open label, randomized clinical trial that will evaluate the combination of IO102-IO103 with MSD’s anti-PD-1 therapy, KEYTRUDA, versus KEYTRUDA alone in patients with previously untreated, unresectable or metastatic (advanced) melanoma. Biomarker studies will also be conducted. Under the terms of the agreement, IO Biotech will sponsor the Phase 3 trial and MSD will supply KEYTRUDA.
In a Phase 1/2 clinical trial of 30 patients with metastatic melanoma, IO102-IO103, in combination with anti PD1 mAb, demonstrated an ability to induce meaningful tumor regression and establish durable antitumor response while achieving a manageable tolerability profile for patients. In this trial, we observed a confirmed overall response rate (ORR) of 73% and a complete response (CR) rate of 47%. Based on the results from this trial, IO102-IO103, in combination with pembrolizumab, was granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation (BTD) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of unresectable/metastatic melanoma.
About IO102-IO103/KEYNOTE-D18:
An open label, randomized Phase 3 clinical trial of IO102-IO103 in combination with pembrolizumab versus pembrolizumab alone in patients with previously untreated, unresectable or metastatic (advanced) melanoma
Biomarker studies will be conducted in parallel to the above.
The clinical trials will be sponsored by IO Biotech. IO Biotech maintains global commercial rights to IO102-IO103.