Pfizer, Merck KGaA and Dako to develop avelumab companion diagnostic

Pfizer and Merck KGaA have announced a new collaboration agreement with Dako for the development of a potential companion diagnostic test.

The purpose of the test will be to find patients who would respond effectively to avelumab, an investigational immune checkpoint inhibitor that is being developed as an immuno-oncology therapy.

Under the terms of the deal, the three companies will work together to develop a test to assess programmed death-ligand 1 protein expression levels in tumour tissue, and its microenvironment, including tumour-associated immune cells.

The investigational test is part of the protocols in ongoing clinical trials of avelumab, some of which will be reported at upcoming scientific congresses.

Merck KGaA and Pfizer entered into a collaboration to co-develop and commercialise the drug in November 2014. It is currently under clinical investigation and has not been approved for use in the US, EU, Canada or elsewhere.

The companies will be presenting their latest research findings on the drug at this week's European Cancer Congress in Vienna.