Amgen and Roche announce cancer immunotherapy alliance

Amgen has announced a new collaboration with Roche that will investigate a promising new combination cancer immunotherapy regimen.

The companies will be organising a phase Ib study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of talimogene laherparepvec, Amgen's investigational oncolytic immunotherapy, in combination with Roche's investigational anti-PDL1 therapy atezolizumab.

This trial will focus on patients with triple-negative breast cancer and colorectal cancer with liver metastases, with the combination expected to potentially increase anti-tumour activity compared to either agent alone.

An initial anti-tumour immune response will be activated with talimogene laherparepvec, with atezolizumab reinforcing the effect by blocking inhibitory T-cell checkpoints.

Dr Sean Harper, executive vice-president of research and development at Amgen, said: "This further builds our alliance network in oncology and we look forward to collaborating with Roche on this study as part of our increasing efforts in immuno-oncology."

The company reported phase III trial data last week demonstrating the safety and efficacy of talimogene laherparepvec in the treatment of metastatic melanoma.