On August 10, 2020 Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:PIRS), a clinical-stage biotechnology company advancing novel biotherapeutics through its proprietary Anticalin technology platform for respiratory diseases, cancer, and other indications, reported that it has entered into a clinical trial collaboration and supply agreement with Eli Lilly and Company to evaluate the safety and efficacy of combining Pieris’ PRS-343, a 4-1BB/HER2 bispecific for HER2-positive tumors, with Lilly’s ramucirumab, a VEGFR2 antagonist FDA-approved for multiple types of solid tumors, and paclitaxel for the second-line treatment of patients with HER2-positive gastric cancer in a phase 2 study (Press release, Pieris Pharmaceuticals, AUG 10, 2020, View Source [SID1234563259]).
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Under the terms of the agreement, Lilly will supply Pieris with ramucirumab for the study as well as collaborate on data from the trial. Pieris is working towards initiation of a phase 2 single-arm combination study for the second-line treatment of HER2-positive gastric cancer later this year.
"We have seen impressive single-agent activity in the phase 1 trial of PRS-343, including a complete response and many patients experiencing a clinical benefit, and believe there is a compelling biology and clinical rationale to adding PRS-343 to the current standard of care regimen for advanced or metastatic gastric cancer in the second line, ramucirumab and paclitaxel," said Stephen S. Yoder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Pieris. "Today’s announcement further supports exploring this clinical rationale while managing costs efficiently."