Pfizer and Merck & Co. have agreed to explore the therapeutic potential of Merck's investigational anti-PD-1 therapy, MK-3475, in combination with two Pfizer oncology assets. A Phase I/II clinical study will evaluate the safety and anti-cancer efficacy of MK-3475 combined with Pfizer's axitinib (INLYTA®) in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). A separate Phase I study will evaluate the safety and tolerability of the combination of MK-3475 and PF-05082566 (PF-2566), Pfizer's investigational, fully humanized monoclonal antibody (mAb) that stimulates signaling through 4-1BB (CD-137), a protein involved in regulation of immune cell proliferation and survival.

 

Pfizer will conduct the clinical studies of MK-3475 plus axitinib and MK-3475 plus PF-2566. This agreement does not provide for any collaboration between Pfizer and Merck following the completion of the specified studies.

 

Financial terms were not disclosed.

Source: Pfizer