GlaxoSmithKline and Merck Sharp and Dohme to study new cancer therapy

GlaxoSmithKline and Merck Sharp and Dohme are partnering to analyse the benefits of a new combination cancer therapy.

The companies have initiated a phase I clinical trial to evaluate GlaxoSmithKline's investigational immunotherapy GSK3174998 both as a monotherapy and in combination with Merck's anti-PD-1 therapy Keytruda. 

This will work will focus on the benefits this therapeutic approach can deliver for patients with locally advanced, recurrent or metastatic solid tumours that have progressed after standard treatment.

It is believed that GSK3174998 may be able to enhance the activity already demonstrated by Keytruda.

Axel Hoos, vice-president for oncology research and development at GlaxoSmithKline, said: "We think combining these two agents that use different aspects of the immune system may be an important step toward achieving this goal."

Last week, GlaxoSmithKline announced its financial results for the third quarter of 2015, during which it saw a year-on-year sales increase of 11 percent.