Pfizer and GlaxoSmithKline agree melanoma drug research alliance

Pfizer is allying with GlaxoSmithKline to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a promising new therapy approach for advanced or metastatic melanoma.

A combination of GlaxoSmithKline's trametinib and Pfizer's palbociclib will be assessed in a phase I/II study to determine the recommended combination regimen and judge the effect of the therapy on tumour biomarkers, safety and anti-cancer activity.

GlaxoSmithKline will be responsible for carrying out the trial itself, which will involve patients with BRAF V600 wild-type melanoma, including those with NRAS mutations.

Emerging data has suggested trametinib and palbociclib have the potential to work together to treat melanoma effectively.

Garry Nicholson, president and general manager of Pfizer's oncology business unit, said: "We look forward to collaborating with GlaxoSmithKline to explore this potential and evaluate the clinical activity of this combination in melanoma."

Pfizer also announced this week that its oncology agent Xalkori has been granted US Food and Drug Administration approval as a therapy for metastatic ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer.