Merck Sharp and Dohme and Eisai to study new cancer therapies

Merck Sharp and Dohme has announced a new collaboration with Eisai that will see the companies assessing the benefits of new combination cancer therapies.

The clinical trial collaboration will evaluate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of Merck's anti-PD-1 therapy, Keytruda, in combination with Eisai's oncology compounds Lenvima and Halaven in multiple clinical studies.

A multicentre, open-label phase Ib/II study of Lenvima plus Keytruda will be held, assessing the therapy in select solid tumours, while a separate open-label, single-arm, multicentre phase Ib/II study will examine the efficacy and safety of Halaven plus Keytruda in metastatic triple-negative breast cancer.

Eisai and Merck will establish a joint development committee to oversee clinical development activities, with studies expected to begin in the second half of 2015.

Dr Eric Rubin, therapeutic area head for oncology early-stage development at Merck Research Laboratories, said: "Cancer is a complex disease that often requires different approaches to help patients achieve the best possible outcome. The collaboration with Eisai exemplifies Merck’s focus on advancing breakthrough science in immuno-oncology."

Last month, the company announced a new partnership with NGM Biopharmaceuticals to carry out research in the field of biologic therapies.