5th Aug 2015 09:34
LONDON (Alliance News) - AstraZeneca PLC on Wednesday said its MedImmune biologics research and development arm has entered into an exclusive clinical trial deal with US-based oncology company Mirati Therapeutics Inc.
The FTSE 100-listed pharmaceutical company said the phase I/II study will evaluate the safety and efficacy of MedImmune's anti-PDL1 immune checkpoint inhibitor, durvalumab, in combination with Mirati's mocetinostat, its investigational spectrum-selective histone deacetylase inhibitor.
The combination will initially be investigated for the treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer.
Under the terms of the agreement, Mirati will conduct and fund the initial phase I/II clinical trial, which is expected to start in 2016, and MedImmune will supply durvalumab for the trial. In the event that the initial clinical trial demonstrates positive results, MedImmune will have an exclusive period of time in which to negotiate a commercial licence for the combination in this indication, AstraZeneca said.
"The collaboration with Mirati is yet another example of our combination-focused immuno-oncology strategy and our comprehensive approach in lung cancer as a key disease area. We continue to follow the scientific evidence to explore novel combination treatments to meet unmet patient need, with durvalumab as the cornerstone," said David Berman, senior vice-president and head of the oncology innovative medicines unit at MedImmune.
AstraZeneca shares were down 0.4% to 4,365.50 pence on Wednesday.
By Sam Unsted; [email protected]; @SamUAtAlliance
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