Merck Sharp and Dohme to develop lymphoma therapy with Amgen

Merck Sharp and Dohme has announced a new cancer immunotherapy collaboration with Amgen to aid patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

The companies will work together to support a phase Ib/III study investigating Blincyto in combination with Keytruda among patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, the most common form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Meanwhile, a second immunotherapy cancer collaboration will support a phase I/II study of AMG 820, Amgen's anti-colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor antibody, in combination with Keytruda among patients with select advanced solid tumours.

Both therapy approaches work on the principle of combating cancer using the body's own immune system.

Dr Eric Rubin, vice-president and therapeutic area head for oncology early-stage development at Merck Research Laboratories, said: "We look forward to partnering with Amgen to advance these trials with the hope of bringing forward new treatment combinations for patients with various types of cancer."

The company also announced early clinical data this week demonstrating the potential efficacy of Keytruda in the treatment of multiple myeloma.