Merck Sharp and Dohme partners with MD Anderson Cancer Center

Merck Sharp and Dohme has announced a new immuno-oncology collaboration with the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

The strategic clinical research collaboration will evaluate Merck's anti-PD-1 therapy Keytruda in combination with other treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy or novel antitumour medicines.

Collaborative studies will be conducted in gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma, pancreatic adenocarcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma over a three-year period, with the first studies scheduled to start enrolling later this year.

The work aims to define combination modalities that will work best with Keytruda. The studies will be conducted in parallel, in order to efficiently determine optimal regimens. 

Dr Roger Dansey, senior vice-president and therapeutic area head for oncology late-stage development at Merck Research Laboratories, said: "This agreement embodies Merck's commitment to collaborating with leaders in the field to rapidly advance breakthrough science and further the goal of bringing new treatment approaches to patients."

The drug was approved in Europe for the treatment of advanced melanoma last month.