Pfizer, Merck and Syndax to study combination ovarian cancer treatment

Pfizer has announced a new collaboration with Merck KGaA and Syndax Pharmaceuticals to evaluate a new combination therapy approach for ovarian cancer.

The companies will assess the investigational fully human anti-PD-L1 IgG1 monoclonal antibody avelumab in combination with Syndax's entinostat, an investigational oral small molecule that targets immune regulatory cells, in patients with heavily pre-treated recurrent ovarian cancer.

Avelumab is currently under clinical investigation across a broad range of tumour types through an alliance between Merck and Pfizer. Syndax will be responsible for conducting a phase Ib/II clinical trial of the newly proposed combination.

Dr Mace Rothenberg, senior vice-president of clinical development and medical affairs and chief medical officer for Pfizer Oncology, said: "This collaboration with Syndax adds a new dimension to our quest to pursue combination immuno-oncology regimens based on compelling preclinical rationale and the potential to generate clinical results superior to those achieved with either agent alone."

Avelumab as a monotherapy has already shown promising early activity in ovarian cancer in a phase Ib trial, and has been collaboratively developed by Merck and Pfizer since November 2014.