Merck KGaA, Pfizer, and Syndax Collaborate on Ovarian Cancer Treatment

On Jan. 4, 2016, Merck KGaA Darmstadt, Germany; Pfizer; and Syndax announced a collaboration to evaluate the combination of avelumab and entinostat for heavily pretreated, recurring ovarian cancer patients.

Avelumab is an investigational fully human anti-PD-L1 IgG1 monoclonal antibody developed by Merck KGaA and Pfizer. In November 2014, the companies announced a collaboration to develop the antibody, which is thought to potentially enable the activation of T-cells and the adaptive immune system. Avelumab is currently under clinical investigation across a broad range of tumor types.  

Syndax’s entinostat is an investigational oral small molecule that targets immune regulatory cells (myeloid-derived suppressor cells and regulatory T-cells). According to Syndax, the delivery of entinostat in combination with hormone therapy can result in improvements in overall survival in advanced HR+ breast cancer patients.

Merck KGaA, Pfizer, and Syndax have entered into an exclusive agreement to study the combination of these two investigational agents in ovarian cancer. Syndax will be responsible for conducting Phase Ib/II clinical trials in ovarian cancer.

The financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed. 

Source: Merck KGaA, Pfizer, and Syndax