Merck Sharp and Dohme allied with Incyte on cancer drug trial

Merck Sharp and Dohme has entered into a new clinical trial collaboration agreement with Incyte that will see the two firms working together to develop a new cancer therapy.

The phase I/II trial will evaluate the safety and efficacy of Incyte's oral indoleamine dioxygenase-1 inhibitor INCB24360 in combination with Merck's investigational anti-PD-1 immunotherapy MK-3475.

Both are part of a new class of cancer treatments known as immunotherapies, which are designed to enhance the body's own defenses in fighting cancer. The new study will assess the combination against previously treated metastatic and recurrent non-small cell lung cancer and other advanced or metastatic cancers.

Results will be used to determine whether further clinical development of this combined therapy is warranted.

Dr Eric Rubin, vice-president of clinical development for oncology at Merck Research Laboratories, said: "Early evaluation of immunotherapeutic combinations is important in accelerating the development of new options for patients with cancer."

Last month, the company signed a deal with Dako that will see the latter organisation creating assays to help identify patients who would be most likely to benefit from treatment with cancer drugs from Merck Sharp and Dohme's pipeline.